Homeless dogs face incredibly tough lives, forced to survive on the streets without anyone to love or protect them. Often, they find themselves in dangerous situations, and with no one to rely on, they must fend for themselves.
For Winston, a homeless and hungry dog, one such situation nearly cost him his life.
Thankfully, a guardian angel appeared just in time to save him.
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Photographer Wesley White was on a work trip in the beautiful country of Belize, Central America. With white sands and blue skies all around, there was no shortage of beauty to capture through his lens.
One day, Wesley decided to kayak from his hotel to a tiny, remote island, unaware of the heartbreaking discovery he was about to make. Searching for a peaceful spot to fish, he believed he was all alone. But then, he spotted something shocking: an emaciated puppy lying helplessly at an abandoned fishing shack.
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The poor dog was in such terrible condition that Wesley immediately knew he was near death.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his tail wagging,” Wesley told The Dodo. “My heart exploded out of my chest. He was just waiting for a human to show up.”
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Wesley sprang into action. Wrapping the frail puppy in a pair of swim trunks, he rushed him back to the mainland.
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With only two days left in his trip, Wesley feared there wouldn’t be enough time to save the dog. Fortunately, the hotel staff stepped in to help. They provided food and contacted a local vet.
Wesley later shared on Instagram, “Winston was infested with mites, emaciated, and dehydrated, but thankfully his organs were healthy.”
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During his last two days in Belize, Wesley stayed by Winston’s side. When it came time to return home to Montana, parting with the pup was heartbreaking.
“It was like giving up my little puppy all of a sudden,” Wesley said.
After returning home, Winston was placed in foster care, but Wesley couldn’t stop thinking about him. Concerned about his future, Wesley even set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Winston’s treatment.
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Then, Wesley found a way to fly Winston to the U.S., so the puppy could join him and his two other dogs.
A month after leaving Belize, Wesley and Winston were reunited. Wesley drove from Montana to Dallas, eager but nervous to see if Winston would remember him.
He had no reason to worry. A now much healthier Winston ran straight toward Wesley, wagging his tail and covering him in excited licks.
It was a heartwarming reunion!
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Despite the colder climate in Montana, Winston quickly adapted to his new life, surrounded by two dog siblings and loving human parents.
We may never know how Winston ended up on that deserted island, but thankfully, a kind-hearted traveler was there to save him.
What a beautiful story! Please share to celebrate the compassion of this wonderful man who refused to leave a helpless puppy behind.
