Canines need to run free! From small breeds to big ones, dogs thrive when they have space to roam. Some breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, are highly active and will suffer greatly from being cooped up in one space. Unfortunately, some owners leave their dogs tied up, depriving them of exercise, happiness and a fulfilling life. Whether it's due to neglect or a true inability to give the dog the life it deserves, it's an all-too-common issue.
A woman received a call about puppies that needed rescuing. Once she arrived, she saw a dog that longed for freedom.
The Chained-Up Lab
The woman arrived to see a large Labrador Retriever chained to a tree. The short chain gave the dog barely a meter of space to move around. As she approached, the dog leaped up excitedly. It longed for attention and freedom.
She learned that the owner was an elderly couple. A mother dog gave birth to several puppies the couple could not care for. The rescuer agreed to take the puppies, giving them a chance at a good life. However, the chained-up dog tugged at her heartstrings.
The couple didn't own the dog. Instead, it belonged to the son of the elderly man. He spent much time away, leaving the dog in the couple's care. However, because they were in their 80s, they couldn't give the dog the required level of attention. Therefore, they had no choice but to leave it chained up.
It was over a year old and spent its entire life chained to that tree. They couldn't give the dog to the woman, as it wasn't theirs. So, she took the puppies and left.
Freedom at Last
The woman couldn't stop thinking about this poor, imprisoned dog. While the elderly couple had the best intentions, it was no life for an active canine. She returned the next day, receiving the dog's warm and excited greeting. The dog leaped up, wagging its tail as it pleaded for freedom. It even stood on its hind legs, reaching out for the woman to hold it.
The woman brought food, leaving a supply with the couple and directing them to feed it daily. She continued to return, bringing more meals. The dog was so thankful for the food that it frequently tried to gift the stranger random objects! On one occasion, she arrived to see the dog with its food bowl ready for a feast.
Finally, four months after meeting the dog, the woman was able to reason with the older woman's daughter. She agreed to let the rescuer take the dog. She cut its chains, allowing the dog to taste freedom for the first time. The pup scurried along, smelling everything it could.
The dog's savior brought it home, starting its life anew. There, she bathed it. To her surprise, the dog accepted the grooming process as if it understood what the woman did for it.
No dog should spend its life confined to a chain. For months, the dog begged for this kind stranger to do something. She was vigilant and finally gave the dog the freedom it deserved.
Now, the dog lives happily with a loving family that can meet its needs. It's no longer chained to a tree. Instead, it has room to roam, shelter to stay comfortable and all the love it could ever want.
Image and Video Credit: Caring Animal Shelter
