Having dedicated numerous years as a volunteer in various animal shelters, my observation is that many pet owners do not take the responsibility of dog ownership earnestly.
This is the reason behind the overwhelming number of stray dogs, desolate strays, and dogs pleading for another opportunity.
Biggie, a striking German Shepherd, was not an exception. His tale commenced in an unappealing location — the Los Angeles riverbed, where he was abandoned by his former owners.
However, fate had not entirely deserted Biggie just yet. Fortunately, the water levels were receding day by day, granting Biggie a glimmer of hope. He could still move about.
Nevertheless, he was still trapped, with no path to freedom.
The riverbed was unreachable to humans, and Biggie was becoming weaker by the moment, devoid of nourishment.
Thankfully, the suffering did not last eternally. Biggie was rescued!
If not for the courageous volunteers from the Hope for Paws organization, Biggie would merely be another statistic among homeless dogs.
Biggie’s narrative stood out in one particular aspect – he was already fatigued and close to surrendering. But, due to the kindness of these devoted dog lovers – he survived.
Here’s how his rescue unfolded!
Biggie Was Trapped In The Riverbed For Days
Upon the arrival of the HP team, they discovered that Biggie had been roaming the riverbed for several days. Local residents were tossing him some food to prevent starvation, but they were unable to extricate this black-and-cream marvel.
To save him from the river, volunteers had to descend the twenty-foot bank without any safety equipment. They utilized a ladder they scavenged from the neighborhood. It was partially damaged, so they secured it with a leash and lowered it down.
What appeared to be a manageable task initially, proved to be quite challenging. To navigate down the broken ladder, the HP volunteer first had to scale the fence and be extremely cautious during the descent.
Upon finally reaching the base, he observed that Biggie was notably weary and apprehensive of him. Therefore, he needed to approach cautiously.
He Was Hesitant To Depart
We can only speculate on the reasons behind Biggie’s extreme fear and hesitance to engage with his rescuer, but one thing is clear – GSDs are not easily frightened!
Biggie’s trepidation was deeply rooted in some of the past traumas he had endured. Additionally, he was somewhat drained, which contributed to his mental state.
With a little persuasion and his background in handling dogs, the volunteer ultimately succeeded! He initially offered Biggie some food to build trust, which was graciously accepted by this lovely canine.
An Emotional Moment Between Biggie And A Volunteer
All heartwarming tales reach their climax, and this was the pinnacle of this one! Biggie and the volunteer shared a touching few moments before his rescue. After being fed, Biggie approached the volunteer, laid down, shut his eyes, and allowed the volunteer to stroke him.
It was at that precise moment when Biggie let go and surrendered to his rescuer. It was as though he realized that everything was going to be alright from that point onward!
GSDs possess incredible intuition and perceptivity, which is why it was not difficult for Biggie to understand that the volunteer team was there to assist him.
In a sense, he demonstrated affection, albeit he simply lacked the energy to exhibit more excitement about his rescue. Thus, the image that went viral depicted him lying down with his eyes closed and his mouth forming a gentle smile.
Hope For Paws Team Accomplishes An Incredible Task
Biggie was eventually extricated from the Los Angeles river inside a container that a few volunteers hoisted up. He exhibited no more reluctance or fear, but he remained quite fatigued.
The HP team redirected Biggie to Coastal German Shepherd rescue, where the staff ensured that the dog received ample medical attention at the center.
Biggie was promptly nourished, bathed, and examined for any potential illnesses. Once a family companion, Biggie found himself in the caring hands of the Hope for Paws team.
This is not the first instance of these dedicated animal advocates performing such acts. They tirelessly assist all species of animals daily, selflessly devoting their entire efforts to save as many lives as they can.