We can’t imagine what kind of person abandons a dog to the streets when there are so many other good options.
That’s why this story starts out doubly sad since two dogs were living hard lives on the streets.
And while we don’t know who abandoned them or if they had ever lived together, we do know they ended up becoming friends – and when one was near to being rescued, it refused to leave without its pal.
A rescuer who wouldn’t give up
Judy Obregon, the founder of the animal rescue The Abandoned Ones (TAO), first got a call about a stray German Shepherd at Echo Lake Park in Fort Worth, Texas – a common dumping ground for unwanted pets. But she soon realized the dog would be tricky to catch.
The German Shepherd was extremely shy and would immediately run away if anyone got close to her. But Obregon wasn’t going to give up – neither did she have a lot of time.
“I knew it was extremely urgent to capture her,” she wrote in a Facbeook post. “Gaining trust began [with] studying her every move.”
Try and try again
Obregon went to the park every day hoping to catch a glimpse of the German Shepherd and let the dog become familiar with her so she could get closer. She also brought food and water with her so that the timid pup would begin to trust her, as well as grow healthier.
Eventually, Obregon’s efforts began to pay off.
“At first once she saw my truck she’d run.” Obregon recalled. “Every morning before sunlight I’d go to feed her- when she began waiting, I knew we were close.”
Say hello to my little friend
But one of those days the German Shepherd had a surprise in store for her.
Now that Obregon had gained her trust, the dog decided that it was safe enough for her to be introduced to her best friend – a frightened pit bull who had scars covering its face.
It was clear that these two were inseparable. The brave German Shepherd had waited until Obregon had proved that she wasn’t going to harm them before bringing out her wounded friend.
Now Obregon now had to make room for yet another dog in her car!
“She made it a point: If you take me, you take my friend, too!” Obregon said.
It was unclear whether the two dogs had been abandoned together, but one thing was for sure – they were definitely departing that way!
Iris and Clover
Obregon named the German Shepherd Iris and her scrappy little pit bull Clover. And she was able to rescue them both that same day and get them to the vet.
Once they were cleared, they got to spend some time getting acclimated to human company and luxuriating in the safety (and free food) at Tao Animal Rescue.
Eventually, the two dogs found their personalities – and they were quite different from one another. After spending time around other dogs, there was no drama when the decision was made to send them to two different foster homes.
According to The Dodo:
“Iris also required more care than Clover and a calmer, more relaxing environment, whereas Clover wanted a foster home with a lot of excitement.”
Happily ever after
While some commenters might have had a problem with the separation, the dogs did not – both dogs are thriving!
Iris is outgoing – and certainly no longer afraid of humans. She also loves other dogs, cats, and kids.
“She enjoys being bathed, brushed, and even does little dances for you, says [her] foster mom,” Obregon said. “Some would think, due to the fear she had, it would take months and months … This is proof that’s not the case with every stray.”
Emily Walker, a volunteer with TAO, told The Dodo that she decided to foster Clover, who is also cat-, and kid-friendly.
But Clover definitely needed another dog in his home to thrive – and he found one!!
Both dogs found their forever homes in October of 2018!
Be sure to scroll down below to see footage from one of Obregon’s rescue attempts.
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Source: The Abandoned Ones (TAO), The Dodo
