In a crowded animal shelter, a dog named Chewy sat alone, looking like he wished he could disappear. He seemed so desperate, his fur a bit matted, but it was his eyes that spoke louder than words – big, soulful, and filled with fear.
While other dogs raced to the front for attention, Chewy just huddled in a corner of the shelter, as if he held the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders.
Every now and then, he would glance around, but he never moved, his body frozen with a sadness too heavy for such a little dog to carry. It was this raw vulnerability that caught the attention of a compassionate rescuer, a young woman named Meggan.
She felt an immediate connection to Chewy and couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something really special about him, sharing in a YouTube video:
“I definitely think Chewy was scared in the shelter. He was in the back of the shelter and everyone else was coming to the front. And his eyes were so humanlike. They just looked like they were looking at the depths of your soul.”
Meggan and her team knew they had to pull Chewy from the shelter.
When Chewy was brought to the rescue, it was clear he was not just scared – he was suffering. He was like a shadow of a dog, slumped over with defeat.
Once placed in a foster home, he refused to eat, retreating to the safety of his pen whenever someone entered the room. It was heartbreaking to watch, knowing his past must have been filled with pain that no one could fully understand, as Meggan shared:
“He would really only eat if someone left the room so we knew right away something wasn’t quite right there. There was some sort of emotional abuse. He was not feeling well.”
Days passed, and still, Chewy’s behavior didn’t change. His struggle was evident, and the team sensed that something deeper was at play.
To make matters worse, he developed an upper respiratory infection. Once that cleared up, the foster family noticed he was constantly hungry and thirsty.
Chewy was not just scared; he needed urgent care, as Meggan explained:
“He was ravenous. So hungry, so thirsty all the time, peeing all the time. I was like we have to get Chewy in immediately, we need to figure out what’s going on with him.”
And then they finally found out the truth: Chewy had diabetes. On one hand, the team was relieved to know what was wrong; on the other, it was hard to think of all the struggles he’d been through.
They immediately started him on insulin and attached a small glucose monitor to his body to track his levels. It was the first step toward giving him a life free from the discomfort he had endured for so long.
Everyone hoped this would be the beginning of Chewy’s true healing, both inside and out.
After his first dose of insulin, Chewy began to come out of his shell. He started exploring his new world and seemed to really enjoy being outside, running around, and soaking up the sun.
And so, with each dose, Chewy became stronger and more vibrant. Within a few days, he transformed from a frightened dog to one who craved love and affection. Meggan was so happy to see such a change in him, sharing:
“I will never forget, I was sitting on the couch watching a movie and he popped out of the X-pen and just sat at my feet and it was the most incredible moment because, I was like, he feels safe.”
Then, the big day arrived – Chewy’s adoption day! Meggan could hardly contain her excitement as she prepared her furry friend for his new life.
When Chewy met his new mom, it was like magic. The connection between them was instant.
He bounded up to her and gave her a kiss, as if he was saying, “I’m ready for this new adventure!” It was such a heartwarming moment, filled with love and hope, showing how far Chewy had come.
Chewy, now named Morris, enjoys the comfort of his new home in Washington. Every day he grows more comfortable and confident, bringing endless joy to his family, as his mom shared:
“Mo has been a perfect addition to our home. He fits in so great I feel so lucky that they picked me for him. It was like a meeting of the souls.”
After all the fear and uncertainty he had faced, Morris has found his place, and his family can’t imagine life without him. Sometimes, the right home is worth the wait.