Jiminy Cricket has not only an enchanting moniker but also a life narrative, although it is laden with sorrow.
His former “caretaker” opted to cram him into a cardboard container and abandon him in the dead of night in an isolated parking area. He likely believed his scheme was brilliant and that nobody would notice, but he was gravely mistaken.
A surveillance camera recorded the entire incident, allowing rescuers to swiftly arrive and rescue the unfortunate puppy.
The puppy was in dreadful shape, yet he was still battling…
From Abandoned to Radiant
Jiminy arrived at the Bainbridge Decatur County Humane Society in incredibly poor condition. He was in such dire straits that they were unsure if he would make it through the night.
Additionally, they were inundated with a multitude of stray animals needing their assistance, prompting one volunteer from Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee, Florida, to rush over to take him in.
Upon arriving in Tallahassee, the tiny pup was instantly taken to a veterinary clinic for care. Thankfully, a few days later and after ample attention, Jiminy was off the brink of death.
Shannon Colavecchio, a foster caregiver with LCHS, learned about Jiminy Cricket and was inspired by his determination to survive, so she promptly volunteered to assist.
“I went to the vet and picked him up. Initially, he was very frightened. His tail was tucked, but he was eating. That was a positive indicator,” Shannon shared with The Dodo.
Despite still being quite frail and unwell, Jiminy had a heart of gold.
“He would basically sleep, wake up, eat, go to the bathroom, and sleep again,” Shannon elaborated.
After a week in her home, Jiminy gradually began to improve. He allowed them to cuddle with him and started to take a few more steps.
Leon County Humane Society provided an update on their Facebook page:
“Update for all our Jiminy Cricket enthusiasts: Jiminy is in foster care, and he is immensely pampered. His foster mother inundates him with love and toys. He dons a sweater since he lacks body fat for warmth and has a multitude of outfits to select from. Some he will have to grow into.”
By the third week, he began to eat healthier, play like an ordinary puppy, and his vibrant personality finally emerged.
After a month had elapsed, Jiminy was nearly as fit as he could be – his fur had fully regrown and was incredibly soft, and he had grown significantly while simply flourishing.
Foster Failure
As Jiminy Cricket had not yet fully recovered, the time had come to seek a permanent home for him.
“I selfishly want to adopt him to someone I know, so that I can continue to be Aunt Shannon,” she mentioned in the clip.
However, little did she realize that he was meant to stay with her. Just as with three previous foster dogs, Jiminy also became a foster failure.
“We’ve had him since February 19, 2020, when he was barely 4 pounds and ill, covered in mange. This dog has become such an integral part of our family, and so we have made the decision that Jiminy Cricket is staying with us as our fourth rescue dog, possibly our most cherished one. He is an incredible dog. We adore him so much, and I’m officially the crazy dog lady,” Shannon stated.
The kids, along with Shannon, couldn’t foresee their lives without Jiminy Cricket, thus they resolved to make him a lasting part of their family.
A true whirlwind of experiences for a small dog, but fortunately, the painful chapter of his life is far behind him.
You can view Jiminy’s transformation in the video below: