Life can be pretty brutal for dogs, even the tiniest ones. It’s just truly heartbreaking to imagine how much pain can fit inside a body so small.
Chico, a Chihuahua found in a trailer park in rural North Carolina, was the epitome of neglect. He was thin, weak, and chained to an old trampoline with a bungee cord. He had been left to survive with almost no food and no water.
In all his life, Chico only had hope that someday, someone would finally show him kindness and give him the chance he deserved. And finally, that someone showed up right on time.
Chico’s Heartbreaking Condition
Chico had been fighting for survival for months. So when the fieldworkers at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) from Norfolk, Virginia, saw this little boy chained to the trampoline, they immediately decided to do something about it.
“When fieldworkers encountered the tan Chi, he was tied to a trampoline with barely 2 feet of tangled tether to move, half-starved, and without water,” PETA stated on their website.
Jake Roos, one of the fieldworkers, along with his teammates, carefully loosened the cord and replaced it with a proper collar. They also provided Chico with food, water, and necessary meds.
Unfortunately, when they finally found his owners and asked them to care for Chico, they refused.
Five months later, the team ran into Chico again, and this time, the owner agreed to let him move to a more suitable home.
Chico was immediately transferred to a foster home, provided with medical care, and showered with all the love he had been denied in the past.
For the first few weeks, he was shy, needed to decompress, and trembled whenever he felt a physical touch. But as soon as Chico realized he was safe and loved, his personality changed drastically.
He blossomed into a lovebug and loved every single minute he spent around his foster.
“His foster guardian reports that the demure dude is “the best kind of friend” and “full of heart.” He loves treats, especially the pumpkin variety,” the Virginia animal rights organization added.
New Chapter
It only took a few weeks for Chico to heal completely.
His eyes brightened, his coat grew healthier, and even his appetite came back stronger. Chico loved curling up next to hoomans and spending his time inside the house. But most of all, he loved freedom.
After months of recovery, Chico finally received the best news: he was adopted into a loving home with a retired woman, and he couldn’t be happier.
From now on, Chico will know no chains, hunger, or waiting to be saved.
His days are now filled with joyful moments, toys, and delicious treats. It’s safe to say that Chico is being treated like a real member of the family.
