Internet users have hailed the incredible transformation of a rescue dog who was once so terrified of everything after being used as bait.
Dog owner Nicole, 22, rescued Sunny in April 2019 when the pup was estimated to be around 6 to 8 weeks old. She went to the Best Friends Humane Society in Sylvester, Georgia, with her brother, and as soon as she met Sunny, she knew she wasn’t leaving without her.
When the shelter staff began telling the siblings about what Sunny had likely gone through before arriving, Nicole felt even more compelled to give this puppy the life she deserves. Nicole, who resides in Michigan and did not give her last name, felt an instant connection with Sunny. She told Newsweek that she knew straight away “she was going to be my girl.”
It is believed that Sunny was used as bait in dog fighting, and she was the only puppy that survived.
Sunny has extensive scars on her face, legs, neck, ears, and stomach, and the emotional trauma left her completely petrified. Indeed, Nicole said how the canine had “the saddest eyes” she had ever seen in such a young puppy.
Nicole added: “When we brought her home, we were able to see the full extent of Sunny’s scarring. She had a dent on her nose that’s only noticeable by touch, and she has scars covering her body from head to toe.
“Sunny showed many signs of the alleged abuse she went through. She was food-aggressive, and extremely reactive and afraid of big dogs and men, resource-guarding anything near her. She never allowed bigger dogs near her food, or men,” Nicole continued.
During that summer, Nicole devoted her time and effort to helping Sunny heal. It took long days and plenty of patience, but she was able to help the dog learn to trust again.
Now, Sunny gets along with bigger canines she is familiar with; she has a great recall; and she has developed a wonderful curiosity, too. Her confidence is amazing to see, and Nicole said that Sunny has become “every person’s dream dog.”
Nicole added: “She loves to join us on every trip we take, even if it’s just to the grocery store. She loves the little things in life. Her scars will always be a reminder of what she went through before, but they’re also a reminder of how resilient and strong-willed she is.”
Nicole shared a post on TikTok (@observingniko) showing Sunny’s remarkable transformation over the years. The post, which included a photo when she was newly rescued, and one of her now, has gone viral with over 815,000 views and more than 212,100 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
After seeing firsthand the effects of animal abuse, Nicole said she wants to raise awareness and show people the reality of bait dogs. She has been blown away by the online response, and it is helped her connect with so many others who feel just as passionate about animal welfare.
“There is so much abuse in the world, from commercial farms and backyard breeding to chicken and dog fights. There’s no way to stop it if we all keep denying its existence or ignoring the harsh reality that so many animals face,” Nicole said.
“Adopting animals, especially ones from abusive situations, is no easy task. But, as humans, we must take accountability for the actions we’ve committed. Dogs like Sunny are all over the place, waiting for someone to save their life.”
Rescuing Sunny and seeing her transformation has been one of the “most fulfilling things” Nicole has ever experienced.
In just a matter of days, the viral TikTok post showing how far Sunny has come has amassed over 1,000 comments from adoring social-media users.
One comment reads: “poor baby. I can’t believe this is still a thing.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “actually sobbing at the puppy photo.”
A third person added: “my heart, you saved that sweet baby.”
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