Maria Harrington was out walking her dogs along a levee in California when their sudden barking made her stop in her tracks. They were fixated on something below, their alarm sharp enough to grab her attention.
She glanced down into the canal and froze. Pressed tightly against the concrete was a dog, abandoned and motionless, as if the world had drained every ounce of energy from him.
Maria called out, her voice carrying hope that he might respond. Nothing. The silence was heavy, and fearing the worst, she tossed a small rock nearby to see if it would spark any movement.
After what felt like forever, the pup slowly lifted his head. The effort seemed enormous, his body worn down and spirit defeated, as though he no longer had the strength to keep going.
A Desperate Plea For Help
Harrington immediately understood that she could not leave him behind. She took her own dogs home, then quickly posted about the situation on Facebook, praying someone could help. The pup soon became known as Fritz.
Before long, a kind couple reached out and offered to join her in rescuing the dog.
Together, the three climbed down and managed to lift Fritz out of the canal. What they found broke their hearts. His collar had grown into his skin, an unmistakable sign of long-term neglect.
Even though Harrington already had four dogs, she brought Fritz home without hesitation.
She bathed him, gave him a warm place to rest, and comforted him through his confusion and fear. The senior dog, fragile and unsure, slowly realized he was safe. He relaxed into her care as if he had been waiting for someone to finally notice him.
Fritz was around twelve years old and moved slowly, but he still joined her pack on walks, happy to take part in anything they did.
Harrington grew attached to him, yet she knew she could not provide the long-term home he needed.
Wanting the best possible future for him, she contacted Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, California.
A New Beginning For A Forgotten Dog
Muttville welcomed Fritz with open arms. Staff members were saddened by his condition and eager to give him the fresh start he deserved.
“He was slow and arthritic and had rough elbows which indicated to her that he’d been kept on a hard surface prior to his rescue,” Patty Stanton from Muttville Senior Dog Rescue said in an interview.
Fritz was taken to a veterinarian, where he was diagnosed with arthritis and dental disease. Soon after, he began receiving medication for his joints and treatment to relieve his dental pain.
A woman named Kristin was especially touched by his story and agreed to foster him.
She introduced him to her home with patience and love. Fritz bonded with her quickly, greeting each day with growing joy. The defeated dog Harrington had found in the canal transformed into a happy senior who loved every moment of attention.
Eventually, Kristin realized she could not imagine life without him. She adopted Fritz, making him a permanent member of her family. His days of suffering were finally behind him.
Thanks to kindness, persistence, and the willingness of strangers to step forward, Fritz now enjoys the comfort and love he had been denied for so many years.
