Sick Puppy Abandoned at Texas Dumping Ground Had Nothing but Love for His Rescuer
Many people never see, let alone rescue, a stray dog, but some people like @pawsitive_rescues5 have practically made it their second job. After all, every dog rescue takes time, money, and lots of love, but it's always worth it to help a rescue dog feel like themselves again.
The Houston, Texas, dog mom lives near a known dog dumping ground, so she checks the site regularly in case anyone needs help. Sure enough, on April 5, she spotted an abandoned dog who seemed to be waiting just for her. He was sick and suffering from uncomfortable skin conditions-and he was just a puppy-but he couldn't have been sweeter or happier to meet his new friend.
@pawsitive_rescues5 I drove down a road known for strays and dumped dogs in our town. Sure enough this young, sweet boy was lying on the side of the road. I'm not sure what we're going to name him yet. I'm just really glad we crossed paths. He's an itchy mess and he clearly wanted help He appears to be around 6-8 months old and already living a rough life. He's going to need skin meds, vaccinations, flea/HW prevention, heartworm test, microchip and then a neuter when he's ready. If anyone would like to help us with his vetting, our donation info Donate PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=KPA6B34Z963EE Donate through fundraise: https://social.fund/bhdmgw/?sw=1
original sound - pawsitive_rescues
This poor puppy could tug on anyone's heartstrings with just a single look, but he instantly connected with his rescuer as if they'd always been friends. Some dogs can simply tell when someone has a kind heart, and it sure seems like he's one of those dogs. Even though he must be lonely after being abandoned and uncomfortable with his mangy skin condition, he greeted her with a wagging tail before she even got out of the car.
"Dogs are so forgiving," commented @dariseanderson. "We do not deserve them." You can say that again! This rescue dog is just one of the millions of resilient pups who are fending for themselves or recovering in rescue after being let down by humans. Despite all they've been through, they have nothing but love and gratitude for the people who stop to help.
Related: Young Dog Abandoned on the Side of the Road Accepts Love Despite Being Terrified
As refreshing as it is to see someone helping a dumped dog with zero hesitation, it would be so much greater if dogs never needed rescuing in the first place. Commenter @nina.tamritt summed up this bittersweet scene perfectly when she wrote, "There is a serious lack of empathy in this world. He just wants love. Thank you for giving that to him."
This sweet, lonely dog is about six to eight months old, though he's already had enough adventure and hardship for a lifetime. With his skin covered in mange, he's itchy and uncomfortable, but medications, vaccinations, and flea & tick prevention are his rescuer's very first priorities.
What is Mange?
Mange is an itchy and irritating skin condition caused by mites that live and grow on or under the skin. There are two main types of mange, and treatment largely depends on which type a dog is dealing with and how severe it is.
Demodectic mange is caued by an overgrowth of the demodex mite, which both humans and dogs normally have living on their skin. When a dog's immune system is compromised, these mites can reproduce out of control, leading to redness, scaling, crusting, and hair loss. On the other hand, Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious, and is caused by the same parasite that causes scabies in humans. This occurs when female mites lay eggs beneath the skin, and the new mites begin geeding on the skin after hatching.
Luckily, mange is both treatable and preventable, so this sweet abandoned dog will be feeling better soon. It's magical what a little love and medicine can do!
SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 5:45 AM.