Driving through a wooded area in Fort Wayne, Indiana, tow truck driver Andrew never expected to stumble upon something that would stop him in his tracks.
As he made his way down the road, a tiny face peeked out from the sticks and mud, barely visible at first glance.
Something about the sight made him slow down. Unable to shake the feeling that an animal might be in trouble, he pulled over and went to take a closer look.
His instincts were right. Hidden among the trees was a small, frightened brown dog, alone and unsure of his surroundings.
Not wanting to startle the pup into running away, Andrew quickly snapped a picture and posted it on Facebook, hoping someone might recognize the dog.
He also sent the photo to Lost Dogs of Fort Wayne (LDFW), a local platform dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their families. If this little dog belonged to someone, Andrew wanted to make sure they had a chance to find him.
When the LDFW team saw the photo, they immediately knew they had to act. Along with another dedicated animal lover, they set out to find the stray. Soon, four more kindhearted people joined in, determined to bring the pup to safety.
The search didn’t take long. After carefully scanning the area, they spotted the dog across a creek, huddled in the mud.
With patience and care, they managed to secure him and bring him to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control (FWACC), where he could finally receive the help he needed.
At the shelter, the staff gave the little pup a thorough medical exam and decided to name him Joey. As Delaney Atkinson, FWACC’s community outreach educator shared:
“When we heard of how many people … were willing to drop everything they were doing to come rescue Joey, it gave us hope. His rescue is a testimony to how powerful a group of animal lovers can be.”
Joey was understandably tired upon arrival, but it didn’t take long for his playful spirit to shine through. When the staff gave him some toys, he immediately perked up, embracing the joy of a simple play session.
With time, love, and care, Joey’s transformation was remarkable. He regained his strength, his confidence grew, and soon, he was unrecognizable from the timid pup found in the woods.
His story became an inspiration to the entire FWACC team, reminding them that no matter what hardships an animal has faced, their capacity for happiness and love never fades.
Wanting to share Joey’s resilience with the world, the shelter posted updates about him on Facebook. His journey touched countless hearts—including one very special woman.
The moment she met Joey in person, it was clear—they were meant to be together.
Now, Joey is thriving in his forever home, surrounded by a loving family that includes another dog and two cats.
Once a lonely pup abandoned in the woods, Joey now spends his days filled with love, companionship, and the happy life he always deserved.