This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

I lost my dog Lucy suddenly on 2/5/23 and was completely heartbroken. About a week later, my partner sent me a picture of a skeletal yellow lab at Animal Protectors of Allegheny County. He said, “I know it’s too soon, but I feel so bad for this guy.”

Megan O’Leary

For about three weeks, he kept sending me updates saying, “Still there.”

One day, while we were headed to the butcher to pick up meat, he suddenly turned off course. Annoyed, I assumed we were going to look at a car — he’s a collector. He didn’t say a word until we pulled into the rescue.

“I just want to look and make a donation,” he said.

Megan O’Leary

When I saw Pete sitting in his crate with water and pee everywhere, I thought, “Oh my, this guy is a handful.” But I also felt terrible for him. He was painfully skinny. The adoption counselor told us he’d been found wandering the streets of Duquesne with a leash still tied around his neck. He had clearly chewed himself free from wherever he had been tied up.

Pete had briefly gone to another home but was returned for being food aggressive. Honestly, wouldn’t you be if you were starving?

Megan O’Leary

The counselor explained he was part of a foster-to-adopt program because he still needed to be neutered. I thought, “I can handle fostering. I’ll do it in honor of Lucy.”

On the way out the door, I swear he peed on every object he could. I remember thinking, “Oh great, there goes my furniture.”

I brought Pete home, and he was full of energy and surprisingly happy. But he was clearly nervous. He needed to go outside every 30 minutes. He cowered at sudden movements. Certain sounds made him jump or hide.

Megan O’Leary

Because of his anxiety and his reluctance to sleep in his bed — or ours — I slept on the floor with him for the first three nights. We bonded quickly.

I was shocked that he never once lifted his leg inside the house. All he wanted to do was love and be loved.

Megan O’Leary

I’ve had Charlie — formerly Pete — for almost three years now, and he is the most loving, loyal boy. He has overcome so many of his fears, and I cannot imagine life without him.

He truly mended my broken heart.

When people say, “Who rescued who?” I can honestly say Charlie rescued me. I am forever grateful to Matt for making me go to the shelter.

Story submitted by Megan O’Leary

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!