Woman rescues timid "puppy" in distress, takes him to the vet, then finds out that he actually isn't a dog at all

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Feb 8, 2025 9:00 AM EST

When you come across an animal in need, you don't stop to think about ifs, ands, or buts. At least, we don't. We act first and think later, especially if they are friend-shaped and clearly need some hooman assistance. That's how we got one of our dogs when we were kids, our parents stopped the car during one drive home because our mom saw a puppy on the side of the road. She yelled, "STOP THE CAR!" and ran out to scoop up the puppy, look for the mom, and we immediately turned around and drove to the nearest vet. We named him Thunder because he was found in a thunderstorm.

When the woman in this post found a timid puppy in distress with an injured leg, she also acted first and thought later. She scooped up the "dog" and drove him to the nearest vet. Upon arriving, the vet took one look at the "dog" and told her that she had actually brought in a wild animal! Needless to say, everyone was very surprised. Read the full story below to understand everything about the howling "hound" that she rescued!

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  • 01
    Andrea Athie was driving down the road when she came across a young canine in distress. His leg appeared to be broken, and she knew he needed immediate help.
    via Amber LaRock
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10464103424
    via @andreathie

  • That is one strange-looking doggo. Very cute, though. But definitely not a dog. Could be a coy-dog (a coyote-dog mix), but that “dog” definitely as some coyote in him. More than a little bit, we would venture to say.

  • 03
    It's as if he knew he was about to get the care he needed, as he easily let her pick him up and settle him into her car. She was able to load up the injured pup, and began to head to the closest vet clinic.
    via Amber LaRock
  • 04
    Once she arrived to the veterinary clinic, she learned that her new furry friend was a bit different from the canines she typically hangs out with. This timid pup was in fact a wild coyote.
    via Amber LaRock
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10464103680
    via @andreathie
  • 06
    Andrea was shocked once she knew she was sharing her car with a wild dog. He was so incredibly docile, that even the veterinary staff was shocked by the situation. To make sure that this furry friend received the treatment that he needed, they immediately contacted a wildlife rehabilitator.
    via Amber LaRock
  • 07
    While Andrea waited to hear of her wild friend's recovery, the news of her rescue went viral on twitter. It all began when Athie's brother tweeted this:
    via Amber LaRock
  • 08
    "Today my sister picked up a COYOTE thinking it was a run-over dog and took it to the vet. //
    via Amber LaRock
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10464103168
    via @andreathie

  • But, come on, with that face, we would also stop to pick him up. It wouldn't matter to us if he was a coyote or not, he needed help, and we were able to give it. If you ask us, she did the right thing.

  • 10
    Back at the wildlife treatment center, the wild coyote began to experience difficulties in his recovery. What originally seemed like just a limb, became clear that this wild pup was facing much more serious internal injuries as well.
    via Amber LaRock
  • 11
    We wish this story had a different outcome, but we are so happy to know that there are dedicated wildlife rescuers out there working tirelessly to save lives. Though this was not the outcome we hoped for, we know that other wildlife will benefit from the care of this rescue group!
    via Amber LaRock
  • 12
    This girl rescued a coyote thinking it was a dog. face is priceless. His
    via u/Slow-Information4751
  • 13
    marajaynedarling I was one stopped in traffic during a torrential downpour. In my rear view mirror, I saw a poor wet dog running through the lanes of barely moving cars. I was leaning across the seat and had my hand on the passenger door handle, planning to try to get him to jump in before I realized it I still kinda regret was a coyote. coyote best friend! the missed opportunity to have a
    via u/marajaynedarling
  • 14
    rathemighty "I don't know what's going on, but she keeps giving me cheese, so I'mma ride this out."
    via u/rathemighty
  • 15
    perkalicous That is not a coyote Imao
    via u/perkalicous
  • 16
    cindyscrazy There was a bit of a story that happened near me recently. A neighborhood was all worried because there were 2 coyotes running around, and apparently living there. Everyone was scared/upset/worried.
    via u/cindyscrazy
  • 17
    "Coyotes" were located. They were 2 dogs that some a h les had abandoned. The dogs were just sort of chilling around the area. They were picked up and adopted :)
    via u/cindyscrazy
  • 18
    kayjayyy345 For the doubters, coyotes have long crossbred to adapt and don't all appear exactly the same. They're mostly, if not all, hybrids on the east coast, and some can be docile appearing enough to be mistaken too. I've almost done the same thing once or twice before, and I've definitely
    via u/kayjayyy345
  • 19
    seen coyotes when I was trying to rid my property of them. Took one getting within arms length of my open window for me to realize she wasn't a stray, but she wasn't bothered or aggressive to me, the other cars, or the ups man unloading his truck. Just passed by and went on her way.
    via u/kayjayyy345
  • 20
    brakishwaters Maybe a Coy-dog but definitely not a Full-Bl d Coyote
    via u/brakishwaters
  • 21
    ModernHagiography "Im living the good life here. Don't rat me out, man!"
    via u/ModernHagiography
  • 22
    Jedi_Bish I'm impressed she was able to pick it up lol. Poor fella looks so confused but somewhat ok with now being a dog.
    via u/Jedi_Bish

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aww wholesome adorable heartwarming puppy kindhearted animal rescue cute animals cute vet animals rescue
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