When a neglected pup showed up at a rescue in pain and confused, a care technician who worked there made it his mission to give her the best life, and despite everything he had to do to save her, he still stands by his decision.
A viral TikTok video shared in January under the username @francesandfam, shows the pup, Freya, living her best life, hopping around and chasing her owner across the park, forgetting that she only has three legs left.
“Rescuing an abandoned dog after losing her leg right before she was about to be euthanized…” says layover text in the clip.
The poster, 41-year-old Chris Thomas, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who also has eight cats, told Newsweek that Freya is a survivor with a “ridiculous amount of personality,” and having three legs has never stopped her from living her best life.
“[When she came to the rescue] she was in pain, confused, and desperate for connection, but that got misread as aggression,” he said. “Her shoulder was so badly damaged from a chronic dislocation that amputation was the only option.”
But Freya didn’t let that bring her down. She healed up and she got adopted. However, just a week later, she was returned with a bite report. For this reason, the rescue decided she had to be euthanized.
“I knew that wasn’t who she was. She wasn’t dangerous—she was just a dog who had never been taught how to handle love properly,” Thomas said.
So he did all he could to save her life and because the rescue wouldn’t put her up for public adoption, he stepped up and took her home.
“I had three days to take her myself. I had no clue how we’d make it work, especially with my cats. The rescue told me she would absolutely hurt the babies, that she was food aggressive, that she had stranger danger, and that she wasn’t good with other dogs. None of that could be further from the truth.
“They based her supposed dog aggression on one test with one dog, but now she goes to the dog park all the time and is best friends with every dog she meets. She loves to run, play, and scrutinize every new person and pup that crosses her path. And not only did she not hurt the babies—she sleeps in bed with me and them.”
Freya is so sweet and gentle that she has developed a special relationship with the poster’s disabled cat, Oliver, becoming her “protector” and sparing him from being bullied by their feline siblings, who turned against him after coming home from the hospital with a urinary blockage.
“When she’s with him, none of the other boys mess with him. She doesn’t do it in a violent way—just in this calm, strong way, like she knows. She understands. It’s the sweetest thing,” Thomas said.
Whether your pup has an injured or cancerous limb, getting it amputated doesn’t mean they won’t get to live a normal life. A Dogster article medically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Darby says that with the right approach, you can easily give your tripod dog a happy and fulfilling life.
You should provide your pup with a comfortable environment, free of hazards, sharp objects, and slippery surfaces. If you have hard floors, placing rugs throughout the house will help your dog keep their traction.
It’s important that your keep your pup’s weight under control and that you provide them with the right among of exercise and enrichment, being mindful of your their condition and limitations.
According to Thomas, losing that leg didn’t slow Freya down one bit.
“I joke that God had to take it just to make it fair for the other dogs. She’s fast. I take her to parks and trails, and people don’t even realize she’s missing a leg because she moves like she’s got all four,” he said.
Because she would do the same for me.
Like most other dogs, Freya still has zoomies, and chews off her owner’s things, including TV remotes and headphones, but in spite of this, he still thinks she was worth giving a chance.
“It’s not always easy. But there is nothing—nothing—that would have made her not being here worth it. She was worth it. They all are,” he said.
“I don’t always believe what people say about a dog. But I will always believe what a dog says about a person. Freya’s story is proof that so many dogs like her, misunderstood and cast aside, deserve a chance.”
Thomas hopes that Freya’s story will show people that pups like her are also the time, the patience, and the chewed-up shoes.
“Ten years from now, I won’t miss those things. But I’ll remember the moments—the silly routines, the quiet mornings, the way she looks at me like I’m her whole world. How she won’t leave my side when I’m sad, because she knows. And that’s what really matters. Although I really did like those headphones,” he said.
The video received over 18,500 views and 3,687 likes on the platform.
One user, Into_the_wind_12, commented: “A leap of faith and love. This is the most beautiful story.”
Chericookcasebier said: “Oh wow this is the best thing I’ve seen all day! thank you so much. Sweet sweet baby girl is living her best life.”
Jhoy77 added: “[You] are an amazing man. Really. [Your] proactive approach to animal care and well being is unmatched.”
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