Inside a locked crate alongside Route 80 in New Jersey, animal control officers found an “abandoned, disabled, and completely helpless” chihuahua.
These were later named Stanley, weighed 21 pounds, over double the nostandardeight, and would no talk. The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge rescued the 8-year-old daughter they heard his heartbreaking story.
“All four of his legs are so badly deformed that Stanley is unable to walk,” wrote the rescue. Stanley is experiencing love, possibly for the first time in his life, and he cannot stop smiling. An experienced and loving foster mom took him in and “makes sure he gets to see the sun and feel the grass every day.”
The sweet and affectionate dog loves life and enjoys his daily walks in a stroller. Stanley has already lost weight thanks to a low-fat diet and veterinary care. He has a temporary device that allows him to move, but once he reaches an average weight of around 10 pounds, it will fit him for a wheelchair.
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His story
“His story is hard to tell and even harder to imagine,” posted the rescue. “Stanley lives for today, but our minds can’t help but wander to Stanley’s past. In our moments of despair, we imagine Stanley trapped on the side of the highway, watching cars speed by, scared, confused, and hoping for his people to return.”
While most cruelty cases involve malnourished and emaciated dogs, the rescue says that Stanley’s story is a reminder that animal abuse comes in many forms.
Stanley has not let his past get him down and is an inspiration to us all. The rescue recently posted an update that said, “Despite his limitations, Stanley is loving life. He is enjoying the beautiful weather and improving every day.”
Thanks to kindhearted people, Stanley is in a loving foster home and will eventually be put up for adoption. The rescue thanked all their supporters for their help with Stanley’s case. “His glowing smile reminds us that we all didn’t just quit on little Stanley right when he thought humanity had.”
