Dogs are sweet-natured, resilient creatures who wiggle their way into the hearts of strangers. The dog in this story is no exception. Aly Mac was about to take her pups for their regular walk when something unusual caught her attention as she stepped outside. Nestled in the grass of her Los Angeles yard was a white bundle of fluff. Intrigued and concerned, Aly, who coincidentally volunteers as a foster carer for Love Leo Rescue, decided to approach the fluffy figure to check for signs of life.
When Mac approached, the animal was so still that she wasn’t sure it was even alive. Mac explained the encounter to The Dodo in an interview: “I spoke to her, but she didn’t move at all.” Just as Mac began to fear the worst, the little dog slowly opened her eyes, revealing just how exhausted and weakened she was. Realizing the pup was in desperate need, Aly quickly ushered her own dogs back into the house and returned with a plate of food and a cup of water to help coax the frightened dog to safety.
Mac planned to entice the dog to come to her balcony, where she could safely eat and drink. Without hesitation, she canceled her plans for the day to focus on helping the little dog. The dog, seemingly revived by the smell of food, perked up slightly and began to eat. She drank a bit of water, then lay back down, still too tired to move much. Seeing her chance, Aly slipped a leash around the dog’s head, gently guiding her inside with the promise of more food.
Once inside, Aly saw the extent of the dog’s condition and that the poor pup was actually a Great Pyrenees, a large protective breed known for loyalty and hard work. The poor girl had visible scars, and it appeared she had been used for breeding and then cruelly abandoned.
Aly, along with the team at Love Leo Rescue, suspected the dog’s previous owners had discarded her once they no longer found her useful. Without delay, Aly took the dog to the vet for a checkup. Sadly, the dog, who had no microchip, was found to be infested with parasites, including tapeworm and fleas.
Determined to give the dog some comfort, Aly gave her a much-needed flea bath. “She wasn’t thrilled about getting a bath, but once we got her in, she seemed to relax,” Aly recalled. “I think it was the best sleep she’d had in a long time.” Despite her wish to keep the dog, Aly already had her hands full with her own dogs and a foster, so Sasha Abelson, founder of Love Leo Rescue, found another foster home.
The rescue team affectionately named her Coconut. “We placed her with a wonderful foster family who also happened to be a trainer. They helped her decompress and recover from the ordeal she had endured,” Sasha shared. Meanwhile, Aly’s video of Coconut, shared on the rescue’s Instagram page, went viral, capturing hearts far and wide.
“People from all over the country and even the world reached out,” Sasha added. “The response was overwhelming; people wanted to help, to adopt her.”
Authorities intervened in a large-scale breeding operation, rescuing 120 dogs living in squalor and suffering from various untreated medical issues. By prohibiting puppy mills, we can shut down this cruel industry and shift towards a more ethical and humane approach to breeding and adopting pets.
Before long, the rescue team found the perfect forever home for Coconut. “It didn’t take long because she received so much interest,” Sasha said. “The video really helped her find the loving home she deserved.”
Today, Coconut is flourishing in her new home, where she is loved and cherished, finally living the life she was meant to have. Click below to see Mac and Coconut’s first encounter. We are over the moon, knowing Coconut found the perfect family!
Toledo, United States.
