Dog Chained in Freezing Temps with Just Cardboard Box Does Sweetest Thing When Rescuer Brings Him Home

Chrissy is the owner of Forgotten Now Family dog rescue in Charlotte, North Carolina and she’s used to receiving calls from concerned neighbors about dogs being left outside in heartbreaking conditions during severe weather. She was contacted about a dog who was unable to move more than 10 feet because he was bound to a pole by a heavy chain, with a cardboard box as his only shelter. It was 29 degrees that day, and the wind was blowing. She knew she had to help, and set off to visit the dog’s owner. (see video below)

Dog rescue: Dog Chained in Below Freezing temps with Just Cardboard Box

Morrison Was Found Shivering Due to Below Freezing Temperatures

When Chrissy arrived at the home, it was clear that the dog she named Morrison was suffering. Neighbors told Chrissy that animal control had been called out several times and that the owner still refused to bring him in from the cold or allow the dog to go into an outdoor shed he had available.

Dog rescue: Dog Chained in Below Freezing temps with Just Cardboard Box

With every wind gust she watched the dog shiver from the cold. “I watched him stumble around due to the effects of the cold. I started sobbing because this week has just shown me so much cruelty and staring at him feeling helpless was the icing on the cake.” 

Dog rescue: Dog Chained in Below Freezing temps with Just Cardboard Box

Chrissy Knew She Couldn’t Leave Morrison Out to Freeze Overnight

Chrissy had on a jacket, and although she had only spent a few minutes outside recording the dog, she was also shaking and the wind was like needle pricks on her face. She said that she felt guilty climbing back into her warm car to call the local animal control again. Temperatures that night were supposed to get into the teens, and she refused to leave him out there, knowing that it could be his last night.

Dog rescue: Dog Chained in Below Freezing temps with Just Cardboard Box

Animal control arrived quickly, and when they approached the owner he finally surrendered the dog to the officers. Chrissy told the officers she’d pick him up from the shelter the next day after he was processed, and couldn’t wait to bring Morrison to the safety of his new temporary home. She shared, “Tonight he wouldn’t freeze to death on that chain alone. This week has been really hard for me in rescue. I’m exhausted. Our rescue is completely full and low on funds but he was worth it.”

Morrison Is Looking for a Family to Call His Own

Dog rescue: Dog Chained in Below Freezing temps with Just Cardboard Box

Days later, Chrissy shared an update about Morrison, and it turns out he’s a big teddy bear. He went from barely being able to make eye contact with his rescuers to wanting to cuddle and be loved. “He is so thankful to be off that chain and in a safe warm space, and loving on the whole team.” He goes out to run and play, and is so happy that he even smiles for pictures!

@chrissyfnf Last weeks new guy: It came in as a tip and a plea for help. I offer help for a lot of outdoor community dogs in our city. I promised to go by. I was aware of the number of attempts from neighbors to help this dog. I brought a dog house with me incase today he was willing to accept help. Then When talking to neighbors I realized this owner has had animal control out and refuses to bring the dog even into the shed he has available. I sat there watching this dog shiver with every wind gust. I watched him stumble around due to the effects of the cold. I started sobbing because this week has just shown me so much cruelty and staring at him feeling helpless was the icing on the cake. I got out of my car and just stood there trying to get a better picture and I realized in the 2 minutes outside in my jacket I was shaking and the wind hurt my face. I climbed back in my car to think what the next best move for him would be…and immediately felt guilty. I ran back to my heated car so fast.. he couldn’t. Based on the info I had and the dropping temps I called the animal control officers. Thankfully they came out quickly and were heroes. They approached the owner and he surrendered to the officers. Tonight he will have to go to animal control to be processed but then tomorrow he is ours. I have named him morrison. I saw him loaded in the animal control truck with his chain and choked back the tears again. He was going to live. Tonight he wouldn’t freeze to death on that chain alone. My purpose was him today. This week has been really hard for me in rescue. I’m exhausted but he was worth it. 📍clt nc 🐾morrison is 2-3 years old 🐾he needs to be an only dog or have an owner that will do very slow safe intros 🐾loves to cuddle and play #rescue #endanimalcrulety #chain #unfair #fosteringsaveslives #ohana #nooneleftbehind #pitbull #bulldog #newstory ♬ A thousand years – Zeus

Morrison isn’t ready for adoption just yet, but he is looking for a foster family who is committed to slow introductions and more time to decompress. In the meantime, the rescue is asking for donations for his medical care via PayPal. If you’d like more information about Morrison and for information about fostering or adopting him, you can contact [email protected].


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