“What did he do to deserve it?” is a question I ask myself every time I see a dog struggling in the worst of conditions. 

The answer, of course, is – nothing! No dog deserves to live a life in despair. Most of the time, the only one to blame is an irresponsible owner who allows these things to happen. 

This exactly was the case with Gourd.

He was heartlessly “let go” forever, but instead of taking him to a shelter, the owner decided to dump this poor, malnourished pup at a garbage site.

He Weighed Only Six Pounds

In the video posted by Animal Love Shelter, Gourd, the five-month-old dog, was recorded lying motionless next to a huge pile of garbage.

Before the kind-hearted rescuer found him, he spent days struggling to survive. Unfortunately, he was only moments away from the worst scenario. Fleas were all around him, and his eyes were sticky and blocked with pus.

He didn’t have the strength to lift his head or move his body, as Gourd was severely malnourished. He weighed no more than six pounds at the moment of his rescue.

The rescuer immediately took him to a vet clinic, where his dirty and matted coat was shaved off. His teeny-tiny body revealed the signs of severe neglect, as Gourd’s bones and ribs were visible.

Fortunately, he didn’t have any infectious disease that could put his condition in jeopardy even more. Still, he needed to be monitored for the next couple of weeks due to starvation and possible complications. 

It took this brave boy a few days of intensive care, but eventually, he lifted his head up.

It was a heartwarming moment for everyone. Just seeing Gourd reaching for his food and eating everything from the bowl was truly rewarding. 

There was so much life in him as he slowly started to build up toward full recovery.

Gourd Took Everyone By Surprise

After only a week, Gourd took everyone by surprise. Placed in a small, isolated kennel, one day, he stood up when he heard the voices of his caregivers. It was as if he was waiting for them to open the door, knowing that he’d get a nice meal.

He did so much better than on his first days. His eyes sparked with joy as he was finally ready to take his first steps. 

Gourd definitely had love for everyone in the clinic. He gently offered them a paw every time they sat next to him and patted him on the head.

During his second week of treatment, he even got to the point of standing on only two feet, which was impressive! He came a long way and dazzled everyone with his recovery.

The medical team couldn’t hide their excitement either. They were so happy to see Gourd revealing his true colors. It turns out that underneath all those wounds was a happy-go-lucky pup who embraced his second chance at life with paws wide open!

Breathtaking Transformation

Finally, the day has arrived!

After two weeks of 24/7 care at the clinic, Gourd was finally released. He embarked upon another exciting adventure and couldn’t be more excited to go home with his rescuer. For the first time in a long time, he got a nice, warm bath in a new home, and he just loved it!

The post-hospitalization care had impacted Gourd’s recovery in the most wonderful way. But, most of all – it was reflected in his remarkable physical transformation!

He grew a new, fluffy fur coat, showcasing his true beauty and style in full bloom. Comparing his previous appearance to what he looks like now is almost unimaginable. And it is definitely safe to say that Gourd is a totally different dog!

From now on, he’ll live the life that he deserves. 

He’s already acclimated to his new home and just loves to be involved in all kinds of activities. He takes daily walks, has lots of furry friends, and takes exciting city trips whenever possible. Still, pool time seems to be his favorite!

Gourd, the resilient pup, finally has everything a dog should have, and he couldn’t be happier!