Tears as Neglected Puppy Spent 8 Months Chained to a Radiator—but What Happens Next Changes His World
At just 10 months old, Wally — an American Staffordshire Terrier — knows the pain of being neglected so badly by the family you love most. As other puppies his age made fun memories with their families, Wally spent all his time indoors tethered to a radiator, with nothing but loneliness, hunger, and isolation as his everyday companions. (Watch Video Below)
For eight good months, Wally never got a chance to step outside. He never experienced the joy of running wild on soft grass while engaging in puppyhood mischief. What’s more devastating is that Wally had no single toy to play with and never received a treat from his owner. Yes, Wally grew up not knowing what treats look like, let alone tasting them. Wally, as sweet and loving as he is, lived a life of utter misery until his rescue.
@animalhaven Wally is only 10 months old but for most of his short life, he’s known nothing but neglect. 💔 A concerned family member knew Wally was being blatantly neglected. When the owner threatened to put him on their roof during NYC’s dangerous heat wave, that family member stepped in and brought him to us. For 8 long months, Wally lived tethered to a radiator, never once stepping outside. He is emaciated and you can see every boomer protruding under his thin skin. His body marked with scabs and scars, likely from an untreated skin condition. He doesn’t know what a treat is. He doesn’t know how to play with toys. His previous owner claimed to have “rescued” him as a puppy from another allegedly uncertain situation, but it's clear he never got the life he deserved. Now, for the first time in his life, he’s safe. And even after everything he has experienced, he’s gentle, forgiving, and eager for affection. Since arriving at Animal Haven, Wally's tail has not stopped wagging. We see that he is inquisitive and hopeful, accepting of all the help and love he has received. We rushed Wally to our vet for evaluation, and he needs extensive diagnostics and treatment to recover safely. But he’s young, resilient, and has his whole life ahead of him – and with your help, it can finally be a life full of love, safety, and joy. With the right medical care, nutrition, and love, we know this boy will thrive. Wally is up for adoption at Animal Haven and his follow-up care will be covered by us – he just needs a home. You can visit Wally during our adoption hours without an appointment – check our website for more information!
♬ original sound – Animal Haven
When Everything Changed…
Wally’s prolonged neglect came to a halt when a kind family member finally intervened. They couldn’t stand seeing Wally suffer any longer, and so they made the bold decision to bring him to NYC-based rescue, Animal Haven.
When Wally arrived here, staff members were heartbroken by how dangerously emaciated he was. His protruding ribs painted a picture of how long he had gone without nourishing meals. Beyond his skinny frame, Wally’s coat was covered in painful scabs because of an untreated skin condition.
But here’s the part of Wally’s story that will make you tear up: since arriving at Animal Haven, his tail hasn’t stopped wagging.
Even though the weight of neglect has taken a toll on Wally’s body, his sweet demeanor still shines through. Wally has every right to be bitter and afraid of humans, but he’s the complete opposite. His face lights up when someone gets close to him, and he leans in for affection without hesitation. For a dog who’s gone through so much suffering yet holds no grudge, we have to admit that Wally is one of a kind.
Healing, a Day at a Time
Wally received the immediate medical attention he needed, and thanks to the rescue’s veterinary team, he is progressing pretty well. Wally is also getting all the love and pampering that he had been denied for so long. Though toys and treats seemed foreign to him at first, we’re happy to report that he’s now gotten used to them (and he can’t get enough).
The rescue says he has already piled up a few pounds and is slowly making new doggie friends. For once in his life, Wally has all the reasons to hope for a brighter future. And while staff members are going the extra mile to ensure he feels safe and deeply cherished, they can’t give him the one thing he desperately needs at this point in his life: a warm, loving forever family. Wally has survived such a dark chapter of his life, and the greatest gift anyone can give him right now is a home.
Please Give Wally a Home
Wally isn’t asking for anything extravagant; just a family that will never let him down.
Wally was treated like a nobody by his previous owner when all he wanted was to feel loved. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to save a desperate, forgotten soul, please consider adopting Wally. Oh, and the rescue will handle his aftercare after adoption so that you can focus fully on pouring into this gem of a dog. To adopt Wally, learn more here.
