Tessa’s heartwarming tale, shared by Nicole for Geo Beats, is a prime example of a rags-to-riches story. Tessa and her three sisters were found abandoned on a street in Atlanta, each suffering from various ailments and showing signs of neglect. A man had tried to surrender the puppies to a local shelter, but was turned away due to the requirement of scheduling an appointment. Frustrated, he left the puppies in a box by the roadside. Among them, Tessa was notably frail, bearing a significant scrape on her arm and rashes across her belly.
Nicole saw Tessa’s photo and instantly fell for her. She quickly picked her up and the pup climbed onto her lap and slept the whole way home. “I love you,” Nicole often whispers to Tessa, knowing she is her soul-dog. Tessa, although initially very shy and sensitive, gradually adjusted to her new home. Despite her anxiety, which made her hesitant to venture far from the apartment, Tessa found solace and security within Nicole’s residence.
Nicole introduced Tessa to a routine involving trainers and weekly daycare sessions to help her socialize with other dogs and people. Additionally, dog walkers were employed to help Tessa get used to friendly faces other than Nicole and her husband. Over three months, Tessa’s transformation was remarkable.
A man couldn't afford to pay for the surgery his dog desperately needed, so he decided to improvise and do it himself. In a shocking case of animal cruelty, the man admitted to applying tooth-numbing gel to his dog's leg and then amputating it.
She began to gain confidence, relishing her outdoor excursions and play sessions of fetch. “I think she likes my husband more,” Nicole observed, noting how Tessa adored following him around, always gazing up at him with admiration. Nicole cherished the bond they shared, finding it beautiful to witness. Now that the pup has fully adjusted, her parents appreciate how far she’s come. Tessa’s expressions are always telling, from her worried, wrinkled brow to the joyful smile that emerges after playing fetch.
Remarkably, all four of the abandoned puppies found loving homes, and Nicole stays in touch with the adopters, celebrating the new chapters in their lives. Nicole often reassures Tessa of her deep affection, telling her, “I love you more than life itself.” Tessa, in turn, provides Nicole with comfort during a tumultuous year filled with family troubles. “She’s the reason I made it through,” Nicole confessed, grateful for the companionship and support Tessa provided.
Toledo, United States.
