Jonathan Flatt, a 13-year-old from Southwest Albuquerque, was on his way to school when something unusual caught his attention.
As he approached the bus stop, he heard rustling coming from a garbage bag tossed in the tall grass near the edge of a field.
Curious and concerned, Jonathan decided to take a closer look. What he found inside was heartbreaking – six newborn puppies, abandoned and left to fend for themselves, with little hope for survival.
“They were starving,” Jonathan told local news station KRQE. The puppies were in bad shape; hungry, frightened, and covered in ticks!
Realizing they needed immediate help, the heartbroken boy called his mother, Jamie, who rushed to the scene. Together, they carefully brought the puppies home, determined to give them the care they desperately needed.
The Flatts immediately jumped into action, feeding the puppies and working to make them feel safe. It was clear the little pups had never experienced a loving home, and it took a few days for them to adjust and get comfortable.
But with patience, love, and attention, the puppies slowly began to settle in and trust their new caregivers. Thanks to Jonathan’s quick thinking and kind heart, these puppies were given a second chance at life.
By taking that extra moment to investigate a strange noise, Jonathan had saved the lives of six helpless animals. However, the experience also taught him a hard lesson about the cruelty some people are capable of.
“There’s a pound right over there, they shouldn’t have just abandoned them to [starve]. It’s sick.”
These poor pups could have easily been taken to a shelter instead of being abandoned so cruelly. For now, the Flatt family plans to care for them until they’re old enough to find their forever homes.
It’s a big responsibility, but they’re more than willing to take it on. Jonathan, in particular, has taken this rescue mission to heart. In fact, this experience has inspired him to pursue a career as a veterinarian when he grows up.
While Jonathan is being hailed as a hero for his actions, to him, it was simply the right thing to do. His quick thinking and compassionate heart saved the lives of six vulnerable puppies.
It’s clear that this young man has a bright future ahead, both as an animal lover and a future vet. Any animal that crosses his path will undoubtedly be lucky!
Jonathan is proof that age means nothing when it comes to acts of kindness, and sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest difference.