Dogs have a unique way of touching our hearts, often in ways we least expect.
This is the heartwarming story of Chunk, a three-month-old pitbull puppy who was found abandoned and tied to a tree on a cold October day in Sacramento.
The local fire department’s No.14 crew spotted her while on their way to a call.
The sight of the cold, shivering puppy, suffering from mange and looking scared and confused, was too much to ignore.
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After responding to their call, firefighter Mike Thawley decided they should go back and rescue the puppy.
Back at the firehouse, they showered her with love, giving her a warm bath and plenty of cuddles.
Chunk’s legs were swollen and covered in scabs, and she had lost most of her hair due to mange, a common skin ailment in neglected dogs.
After providing her with much-needed care, they took her to the Front Street Animal Shelter for further treatment and to hopefully find her a forever home.
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At the shelter, the staff began treating Chunk’s mange and dressed her in warm clothes until her hair could grow back.
Although her mange was a mild, non-contagious type, her recovery and rehabilitation were going to take some time.
Mike Thawley, unable to stop thinking about Chunk, returned to the shelter the next day.
Chunk’s enthusiastic greeting made it clear that she had not forgotten her savior.
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“We all just kind of fell in love with her,” Thawley said, reflecting on the night of the rescue.
But his connection with Chunk didn’t end there.
When Thawley returned to the shelter with his wife and three daughters, it seemed that the entire family was being won over by this adorable bundle of joy. ”
Although Mike denies it, it appears by a vote of four to one that Chunk might wind up with a permanent home!” said a post on the Sacramento Fire Department’s Facebook page.
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The post turned out to be prophetic.
It was a no-brainer for the Thawley family to start the adoption process and welcome Chunk into their home.
After waiting four months for her mange treatment to be completed and receiving a clean bill of health, they were finally able to bring their adopted pup home.
It was then that they named her Chunk.
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Bobby Mann, a spokesperson for the Front Street Animal Shelter, said, “I think what’s great about this whole story is that not only did this dog find its forever home, but had the opportunity to go to a foster home, which we’re always looking for at our shelter, to get happy and healthy.”
Chunk’s story is a testament to the transformative power of love and care, and the incredible difference it can make in the life of a neglected animal.
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Chunk’s journey from being an abandoned puppy to a beloved family pet is truly heartwarming.
It shows her joyous reunion with Mike Thawley at the shelter, her treatment for mange, and her ultimate adoption by the Thawley family.
He has touched the hearts of many, serving as a reminder of the incredible bond that can form between humans and animals, and the profound impact they can have on each other’s lives.
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Chunk’s story is not just about her rescue and recovery, but also about the incredible bond she formed with Mike Thawley and his family.
It’s a story that reminds us of the incredible difference one act of kindness can make, and the profound impact it can have on the lives of both humans and animals.
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Today, Chunk is more than just a pet; she’s a beloved member of the Thawley family.
Her story serves as a beacon of hope to the transformative power of love and compassion.
It’s a reminder that every animal deserves a chance at a happy and healthy life, and that sometimes, the ones who rescue us are the ones who end up being rescued in return.
Watch this heartwarming friendship in the video below!
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