Fearful puppy refuses to leave shelter after losing siblings

This puppy named Junior won the battle against death, being the only one of his litter that managed to survive. This is a story of courage and overcoming that reflects a reality from which few countries escape: the epidemic of stray dogs, caused by irresponsible and heartless owners.

The puppy achieved something that was impossible for his siblings, all of whom died.

This puppy’s story comes to us through The Orphan Pet Foundation, which not only rescues animals in Greece but also tries to educate the population about responsible pet ownership.

Unfortunately there is still a lot of work to be done, as there are thousands of people who do not spay and neuter their dogs, but once they are in a state, they get rid of them and their litters.

Something like that happened with this puppy.

Junior was rescued from an irrigation canal along with his four siblings, after someone reported them. Although volunteers provided care for all of them, only this puppy managed to survive. Here’s how he tells it:

“Within a couple of weeks, Parvo killed them all – all except one. Why was he the lucky one? We can’t know,” said Valia of Orphan Pet.

But within a few weeks both the volunteers and the puppy understood that perhaps he had survived with a purpose.

Once recovered and with a little more strength, Junior went to the foundation’s shelter. He spent a few weeks there before a loving young man approached him.

He was Ben, the 14-year-old son of one of Marsha’s puppy caregivers.

The woman had taken the young man to the shelter to show him the work they do to support themselves with donations of less than a dollar a day. The boy was touched and also felt attracted to one puppy in particular: that was Junior.

Ben learned about the puppy’s story and was immediately impressed by his courage and strength, which motivated him to help him.

The young man decided to become the puppy’s temporary father until he could find him a permanent family. That decision marked a before and after in Junior’s life.

The day the puppy was to leave the shelter he was reluctant, the poor thing was very afraid of life outside the shelter.

This furry boy had suffered so much when he was just days old that he wanted to stay in his comfort zone: the kennel. But Ben took him in his arms and cuddled him to give him confidence.

From that moment on, nothing would be the same.

In Ben’s care, the puppy got to know the sounds of the city, the stores, the smell of good food and also visited the sea.

With just a few days at his side, Junior’s story had begun to change dizzyingly and all thanks to the teenager who was thrilled to learn what his mother’s job was like.

Ben and the puppy shared a couple of months, the boy took care of him, but also taught him to strengthen his confidence.

Junior became a looser and more confident puppy, he knew that the world wasn’t so bad after all. And he also understood that life had been worth hanging on to, but it didn’t end there.

Ben did his part and not only helped with the puppy’s rehabilitation, but also with his adoption. The teenager was able to find a loving family who wanted Junior to be part of their family.

There began a new adventure for the puppy.