Joyful Relief as Skinny Three-Legged Puppy Living in Jungle Finds Hope & Healing
As pet lovers, it’s heartbreaking to hear of puppies living all alone as strays, given how vulnerable and defenseless these adorable animals are. It’s even harder to imagine that there are puppies with disabilities surviving alone on the streets, with no mother or siblings in sight — just them against the harsh world.
Candy — as she’s now called — is a three-legged puppy who’s endured a lot at her young age. Although her story begins in the most unexpected place — a jungle — it ends with her being in the safest, loving environment, all thanks to the rescue team at Happy Doggo, Thailand’s largest rescue for stray animals. Niall Harbison — Happy Doggo’s founder — and his team had received reports about Candy for some time, but efforts to trace her proved futile for the different times they tried.
But after what felt like an eternity, they eventually managed to locate her, and the scene that would unfold before their eyes would shatter their hearts.
From Fear to Trust
Hiding all alone in an old, almost-falling-apart structure inside the jungle was Candy, whose underweight appearance screamed of prolonged hardship. Her lonely, skinny state struck her rescuers to the core. It was evident that she had a hard time fending for herself as a three-legged dog, which made her lose so much weight.
Seeing people around her made Candy hide in terror, a sign of her deep-seated mistrust of humans. The hardest part came when it was time to catch. It was no easy task, but Niall and his team persisted in coaxing her gently out of her hiding.
Thankfully, Niall was able to scoop her up and cradle her into his arms, reassuring her that she was now safe. It was as though Candy sensed her rescuers had good intentions because she settled into Niall’s arms with ease, ready to accept all the help extended to her.
@happydoggoniall This tiny little puppy has been hiding in the jungle but she had even smaller chances of surviving than other stray puppies here in Thailand. She only has 3 legs. We’d heard about her for a little while but it was only today that we were finally able to catch her. It took Niall, Sybille and Jewells and 2 locals construction workers to pin her in under some sheet metal and pull her out. She was terrified and didn’t come easily at all but once she did she quickly gave in and knew she was safe. She’s much much smaller than the other dogs in the area as she has not been getting to the food because of her disability. In terms of what happened to the leg we have a strong feeling she got injured when smaller and she’s eaten the flesh off herself. The wound is clean now and not a danger but we’ll be getting her the full treatment. It’s hard to fathom what she has been through out here alone. It’s hard enough to get a home for any street dog let alone one with just 3 legs but there was never a doubt about taking her in. I called her Candy because she is a sweet little gentle and sensitive soul. We’ll make sure she is well looked after and starts bulking up. You’re safe now little Candy. ❤️ #streetdogs #dogrescue #rescuedog
♬ Halo – Beyoncé
The Start of A New Chapter
Besides being overweight, Candy was also found to be anemic due to the massive tick infestation on her ears. Luckily for her, the team at Happy Doggo will ensure that all her medical needs are addressed. They’ll also make it their mission to shower her with all the love and care she needs to blossom into a joyful puppy with an enviable zest for life.
She has warmed up to her rescuers, and it’s clear that there’s nowhere else she’d prefer to be than in the safe, nurturing environment at Happy Doggo. Candy is no longer a symbol of defeat and despair, but a symbol of second chances, something every stray dog deserves to experience.
