When a volunteer from the dog rescue organization Sidewalk Specials noticed some children searching for kibble, curiosity led her to ask who they were trying to feed.
The children guided her to a severely neglected dog lying by the roadside, abandoned and in desperate need of help.
Her heart broke at the sight of the poor dog.
Rescuing Eddie
The dog, later named Eddie, was emaciated and terrified of human touch. Life had been extremely harsh for him, leaving him traumatized and vulnerable.
“He’d lost a leg, making it incredibly difficult for him to walk. He was so weak. When he arrived [at the rescue], his eyes were filled with fear and emptiness,” said Janice, Eddie’s foster mom, in an interview with The Dodo.
The vet examination revealed that Eddie was suffering from severe malnutrition, kidney issues, mange, and tick bite fever. His recovery would be a long process.
Eddie’s front teeth were worn down, likely from eating gravel to survive. It was clear he had been on his own for a long time, but fortunately, he was given a second chance.
A New Beginning
Eddie was taken to a loving foster home with Janice and her husband, Rolf, who cared for him deeply.
Two weeks after arriving, Eddie wagged his tail for the first time, and his eyes began to soften—a significant milestone for a dog as terrified as Eddie.
Day by day, Eddie’s condition improved, and he slowly started to trust humans again.
But something extraordinary happened that shocked even his foster parents.
Eddie’s Color Transformation
Three months after his rescue, Eddie became a much happier dog. He started running, and astonishingly, his coat color changed to a rich chocolate brown as he regained his health.
“His happy place is definitely in bed—a luxury I don’t think he ever had before. His second happy place is the creek in the park. His ball is his security blanket. He’d never had a toy!” Janice shared.
Seeing Eddie learn to play was heartwarming. After enduring so much hardship and betrayal, he was beginning to forget his past.
A Short-Lived Happiness
The rescue organization hoped to find Eddie a forever home and even created a beautiful video to share his story. Eddie was well-behaved, low-maintenance, and a joyful little dog.
Unfortunately, Eddie never lived long enough to find his forever family.
Shortly after his transformation, Eddie suffered organ failure and had to be put down.
“I think we can all agree that Eddie’s last three months, spent with his foster family, were the best thing that ever happened to him. 💖 Respect to his foster family for giving Eddie the chance at happiness, and prayers for your broken hearts,” Sidewalk Specials wrote in a heartfelt post.
Although Eddie’s time was short, he finally experienced what it felt like to be truly loved. His foster parents cherished him, and Eddie will forever hold a special place in their hearts.
