‘Welcome to the fam!’: Friendly dumped dog found limping given furever home but rescuers left confused by why the pawfect pup was alone in the first place

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Oct 9, 2026 7:30 AM EDT

Coming across a stray doggo in the street is sadly not all too uncommon in our modern world. More and more puppers are failed by their families and the system and end up loose doing their own thing. But what usually happens ot them in that time is that they lose faith in hoomanity. Deciding that hoomans are bad and scary and that they should stay away from them. This makes catching such a doggo, or convincing them to come with you a terribly difficult task. A fact which makes this story's well adjusted street doggo that bit different and unexpected.

Dogs really do come in different shapes, sizes and styles. And while that phrase does usually apply to their outer appearance we like to believe that it also has a fair amount of impact on their behavioral tendencies too. For example as mentioned earlier, most dogs out on their own would grow sour, but our pupper protagonist didn't. Not because it was treated any different, not because it looked aunty different, simply because it refused to give up believing.

So take this story of canine rescue as a reminder that so long as you do not give up on believing you have a chance of making it through anything. The moment you stop believing is the moment you let go of hope, the moment you being to stop searching for an opportunity the moment you give up on it all. So be like this pupper and be relentlessly hopefully. 
 

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  • 01
    "About four people said that the little guy has been roaming alone for months in the surrounding neighborhood."
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    White and black dog.

    Representative only.


     

  • 02
    My sister and I were driving back from dinner and saw a little rattie mix limping by the gas station. We of course wanted to help the little guy out, so we tried to grab his attention, and he
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  • 03
    was so super friendly and jumped right in our car. My sister ran back in the gas station to ask the clerk if he'd seen the dog with anyone, and he said that dog frequents the area alone. :(
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  • 04
    Since it's late, we've brought the little guy home with us, and are taking him to the vet in the morning to see if he's chipped / needs vaccinations, and to see what steps we take next.
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  • 05
    Here's why we're confused, he is the happiest little dude ever. So chill, and made himself right at home! He got along immediately with our own rattie dog. But, he's got no collar, he's limping, and he sort of flinches when you try and
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  • 06
    pet him :( We don't know what this poor baby has encountered (thus a vet visit in the morning), we just don't know if this is a case of lost lost LOST dog, or stray / dumped dog. His behavior is beautiful thus far, but his appearance and reaction
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  • Yes, these people are rightfully confused and for more than a few reasons. First being that how did a dog with such a sweet attitude end up on the street anyway? No one would willingly throw away a pup who is good to them and their family? Then you have the fact that he has been known to frequent the area, meaning its been a while that he has been alone. So how has he managed to maintain such an upbeat pawsonality? Whatever it is that has kept this pup going it looks like it is paying off big time as he settles into this pawson’s home. Even if it is just for a little while.
     

  • 07
    to touch him flinching makes us wonder if he's had some not so loving encounters. Don't worry guys, we stepped in and are giving him all the love and treats.. He may or may not have had a warm bath too hehe!
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  • 08
    What do you guys think this situation sounds like? We obviously want to reunite him if he's got a family, but it's worrisome considering his
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  • 09
    conditions! Do you think he was dumped or lost? Thanks all. Will update after the vet visit!
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  • 10
    Hi, maybe some will remember me from the last post about a week or so ago. I totally forgot to update everyone!
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  • 11
    We took the little doggy we found by the gas station to the vet about two days after having him. We posted him to Pawboost, and Nextdoor, and we actually got replies on Nextdoor from
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    Cheezburger Image 10668167424
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  • 13
    people who lived in the area. About four people said that the little guy has been roaming alone for months in the surrounding neighborhood.
    via awawkochocotaco
  • 14
    Anyways, the vet checked for a chip, (no chip to be found.) Little guy also got a round of shots, flea meds, and other preventative medications. The vet estimates he's between 2 and 3 years old.
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  • 15
    As for his limping, we went to another vet that specializes in injuries, we got the little guy x-rayed and no bones are broken!! :) Now we're looking into ways to get him using that back leg
    via awawkochocotaco

  • Ok it is clear that this dog is a complete mystery. Having spent months outdoors and to still be the sweet creature that he is, is beyond incredible. And now to find out that his limp is not actually medical..well, what in the heck? Though we do have one idea as to why this pup might be faking a limp. Having spent so much time out in the world he needed to get by, nad just like any other homeless person he might have figured out the fact that by adopting a limp he can get himself more food than he would otherwise. A pretty crafty plan and one that he will hopefully drop now that he has a home…
     

  • 16
    fully. We've been playing some chase, fetch, teaching him tricks, and going on lots of walks! We got him chipped! And we have an appointment next Thursday for him to get fixed!
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  • 17
    Oh, and his name is Chongo! Welcome to the fam! Sorry the update took so long, we've just been enjoying our little dog!
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  • 18
    [deleted] Chongo is one of the best names ever. You are beautiful people for rescuing this puppy.
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  • 19
    Fair_Profile8501 He looks so happy! Thanks for sharing his picture and saving him. No longer on the street!
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  • 20
    doobie2009 ED yay thank you for saving that little angel
    via awawkochocotaco

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dogs found reddit story welcome perfect confused family dog story friendly furever home why alone pup dumped rescue
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