A five-year-old husky mix named Rocky never gave up hope that help would come after his owner passed and he was left alone in the backyard barely getting by on scraps. He managed to survive this way for years, but it took a toll on his body. 

When he was finally rescued by Mutts N Such Rescue, a foster-based rescue in North Texas, he was in rough shape. He was malnourished and barely able to stand, missing most of his fur due to a severe skin infection called mange, covered in fleas, full of intestinal parasites, and heartworm-positive with a heart murmur. 

After looking through the fence for years hoping that someone would stop to save him, the day had finally come. Mutts N Such Rescue relies on fosters to help care for animals like Rocky and was able to find him an emergency foster home to begin his healing journey. 

They posted his picture on social media and asked their followers for help in finding him a soft place to land. While many people commented and felt sorry for Rocky, one woman stepped up to help. 

Ashley Buchart reached out to the rescue and said she would take him into her apartment and give him all the love and care he deserved. And that is exactly what she did. 

"There was just something about him. Two days before the Fourth of July, I picked Rocky up from another volunteer. I didn't have any of my old dog supplies on hand, so I made a run to the nearest Petco to get set up. I went in planning to foster — just get him feeling better, looking better, and find him the right home," she shared. 

Rocky was started on several medications to treat parasites, heartworm disease, and given many bowls of nutritious food. Each day he grows stronger. Despite all the pain and suffering he has endured, he remains a sweet and loving dog. 

It didn't take long for Ashley to fall in love with Rocky and go from foster to adopter. 

She recalls, "But as the weeks went by, it became clear what a great dog he is. Wicked smart, loving, all the snuggles you could want — just a good-natured, sweet pup. I fell in love with him. And the reality is, I can give him a good home. A safe place to land. That's really the most important thing for a dog like him — they're just looking for someone to love them and a place to call home. So now he's mine."

In just two months, he is unrecognizable thanks to the amazing care and love he is receiving from his new mom. His fur has regrown; he is free of all internal and external parasites as he continues treatment for heartworm disease. 

Ashley said, "He's happy and bouncy — a totally different dog than he was two months ago. He loves his snacks too, and he's got this look he gives you when he's decided he needs a second (or third) breakfast."

Rocky is finally living the life he deserves and has already gone on his first adventure which involved swimming, hiking, and kayaking. He is experiencing many new things and loving all of it. Nothing but good days ahead. 

Fostering Saves Lives

Mutts N Such Rescue took part in Best Friends Animal Society’s Foster Forward Challenge in June right when they took in Rocky. The grant they received help expand their fostering network and cover medical care for Rocky and others. 

"The foster challenge had a meaningful impact on our organization by helping us expand our foster network and increase our lifesaving capacity," said Heather Cardenas, President of Mutts N Such Rescue. "It allowed us to bring in urgent, at-risk cats and dogs from shelters across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex while we searched for permanent homes — and it brought in new volunteers who couldn't commit long-term but wanted to help however they could. Several have since decided to become foster parents themselves." 

The sad reality is that large dogs spend longer in shelters waiting for a forever home. Shelters can be stressful and take a toll on a dog's mental health after so many months in a kennel. Fostering can make a huge difference. 

"At Best Friends Animal Society, we believe pets belong in loving homes not in shelters," says Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. "Opening your home to foster a pet, especially a dog over 40 pounds who tend to wait the longest in shelters, can be a temporary bridge to an adoptive home.”  

Fostering is a great way to help homeless animals if you are unable to adopt and get them out of shelters and into homes. Who knows, you may just find your new best friend like Ashley did. Anyone interested in fostering should contact their local rescue or shelter.

Best Friends Animal Society continues to work with shelters and rescues nationwide while also operating the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary with a goal of making the entire country no-kill. They are trying to "Save Them All®", but it is a team effort. Learn more about this amazing organization here.