“What a different life he is living now!”
Earlier this month, a man in Houston, Texas, was commuting to work when he noticed a pile of discarded furniture strewn along the freeway. As he neared the pile, he spotted a tiny fluffy body shivering between two pieces of furniture.
The Good Samaritan pulled over and was shocked to discover a 10-week-old puppy sheltering between an old couch and a broken TV. His work shift was about to begin, but he couldn’t leave the puppy behind.
“The kind man wrapped him up in his jacket [because] it was very cold outside and kept him in his work truck with the heater on all day,” Karlin Medlin of ThisIsHouston (TIH) told The Dodo.
When the Good Samaritan eventually arrived at his worksite, his compassionate colleagues offered to help care for the pup, later named Odie.
“The other men who were working the job site pitched in for some food, and the Good Samaritan took him home that night and then contacted TIH for networking,” Medlin said.
TIH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to easing the animal welfare problem in Houston, typically takes in high-risk adult dogs, such as those with significant medical issues — but they couldn’t say no after seeing a picture of Odie.
“We do also take on little nuggets like Odie [because] his life matters greatly to us!” Medlin said.
After agreeing to take in Odie, another pair of Good Samaritans transported him to Medlin’s house, where he would stay in foster care until he found an adoptive home.
Despite his age and unfortunate origin story, Odie’s confidence soared in the Medlin’s home — especially when he met their pup, Peppa.
“His best friend has been a sweet little pug named Peppa, who is our personal dog, a foster fail from TIH,” Medlin said.
In addition to his new dog best friend, Odie quickly fell in love with all his human foster siblings.
“We have five children, and he LOVES to interact with them. He is particularly smitten with our 7-year-old son, and they are constant companions,” Medlin said. “His days consist of constant play time, all the food and snacks his little heart desires, and never-ending love. What a different life he is living now!”
While he settled in with the Medlins, Odie’s new team of angels continued searching for his perfect forever home. He’s since received a promising application and is currently doing a two-week trial run with his potential forever family.
The Medlins will miss having Odie around, but they can’t wait for the tiny pup to finally get the family he deserves. And even after he’s adopted, the Medlins and all the other people who worked tirelessly to save Odie will continue cheering him on from a distance.
“Odie is a wonderful puppy who deserves the very best forever family,” Medlin said. “We are glad that he found his way to us!”
