Update: Chewy is recovering from surgery in a loving foster home who is interested in adopting him. The foster family has a senior Yorkie with a heart condition that they have been managing for years as well as a Shorkey that was rescued and struggled with social skills, just like Chewy.

The rescue shared, "No better place than someone with the experience and history for both his medical and social challenges. Could not be more excited to see where his future goes. Thank you again everyone for supporting him and us. None of it would happen without you!"

A Way Home For Dogs, a dog rescue in San Diego, California, received a call about two small dogs running loose near the 905 freeway.

The dogs were terrified and wouldn't let anyone near them. The rescue team finally captured the dogs thanks to the help of good Samaritans and security cameras which showed where the dogs were hiding.

It was clear that the dogs had been mistreated and were leery of people. When no one came to claim them, the rescue named the little white female dog "Padme" and her protector, an 18-month-old Yorkie mix, "Chewy".

Photo: A Way Home For Dogs

The rescue specializes in helping dogs overcome fear and behavior issues and find them loving homes. They knew they could show the dogs that not all humans are bad and get them to trust again.

However, the focus changed after a vet examination.

Chewy has a Grade 5 out of 6 heart murmur and is already showing signs of congestive heart failure. He needs emergency surgery, which will be very costly, to survive.

Photo: A Way Home For Dogs

The rescue is unable to afford his surgery but refused to give up on him. They reached out to Greater Good Charities' Emergency Animal Medical Fund for help. The fund provides grants to animal rescues and shelters to give dogs like Chewy the second chance they deserve.

Chewy is a fighter and even with an enlarged heart managed to care for his sister before they were rescued. Footage from a security camera captured him stealing food delivered on a front porch and dragging it down the stairs to his hungry sister.

The rescue shared, "While dodging people, cars and predators he was caught on camera stealing food to feed them (seriously watch the video where he takes dinner delivered for four adults and drags it to the backyard where she is waiting). He has no intention of quitting on life. How can we quit on him?"

Photo: A Way Home For Dogs

The good news is that he was born with a birth defect that can be repaired with surgery. His rescuers told us, "his heart size (now massive) will shrink with meds after surgery and his prognosis is outstanding for a normal life expectancy."

Even more good news is that he already found an experienced foster home who would love to adopt him after he recovers. The rescue pleads for help and says, "Without surgery we have no placement, and he is not expected to live very long."

Photo: A Way Home For Dogs

Pets receiving critical care facilitated by an Emergency Animal Medical grant may not be eligible for adoption until they have completed their course of treatment. If you would like to inquire about adoption of a specific animal, we strongly encourage you to visit the shelter’s specific website first as that is often the most up to date place to learn about available pets and review the adoption policies and process. Check out the shelter’s website to see all adoptable pets.

Help us raise $10,500 to cover his surgery and ongoing medical care. Your gift will not only give him the hope to keep fighting, but your donations will help cover his ongoing care.