Chessie.Photo:Pennsylvania SPCA/Instagram;Pennsylvania SPCA/Facebook
Pennsylvania SPCA/Instagram;Pennsylvania SPCA/Facebook
After a long road, a 12-year-old dog has finally found a loving forever home.
Chessie’s journey to safety wasn’t easy. In aFacebook post in mid-October, the shelter recounted the pup’s harrowing tale: After receiving a community complaint from local law enforcement officials, the shelter’s Animal Law Enforcement team investigated what they believed to be an incident of “dogs and cats living in disrepair.”
“When we went to check it out, it was worse than we could have imagined,” the shelter wrote, calling the animals' living conditions a “house of horrors” — “filled with trash, excrement, barely any food or water, and heartbreakingly, several deceased animals.”
Chessie.Pennsylvania SPCA/Facebook
Pennsylvania SPCA/Facebook
The shelter rescued five cats, two pigeons, and two dogs from the scene — Chessie among them. When the pup arrived at Pennsylvania SPCA’s headquarters, she needed immediate medical attention. Chessie was suffering from a “severe” flea infestation and several mammary masses at the time. “She was so very nervous during her examination that she had to be sedated to get the full picture,” the shelter wrote.
Under the medical supervision of the Pennsylvania SPCA, Chessie slowly recovered, “gaining both confidence and comfort,” according to the shelter. Dozens of commenters cheered her on, too, thanking the shelter for its life-saving care. Even Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella and podcast host Jason Myrtetus shared the love,encouraging the team’s fansto help Chessie find a new home.
But then came a heartbreaking twist: The shelter discovered Chessie had an aggressive, terminal cancer — which it said “shook us to our core.”
“Not all heroes wear capes; some simply show up with hearts full of compassion for an old dog in need,” MLAR added of the adopter.
The commenters following Chessie’s story from the beginning also sent an outpouring of love to the pup’s new owner.
“An angel on earth came to her rescue. May her remaining days be filled with all the comfort and love she should have had her whole life 💖” posted one.
Said another: “Sitting in Maine crying happy tears. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in Chessie’s journey.”
The Pennslyvania SPCA also thanked Chessie’s new family and the community support for supporting the senior dog.
“Chessie is now finally getting to experience the life she’s always deserved in a home full of love,“the shelter shared on Dec. 9.
source: people.com
