No bark, growl, or bite can come close to the severity of human brutality. Dogs may react this way instinctively when they perceive danger, yet humans often inflict pain on these creatures intentionally simply because they can.
As if abandoning a family dog wasn’t painful enough, some individuals take it a step further by leaving puppies in bags, devoid of food, water, or even air.
Louie’s tale is tragic, as he was not only let down by his family but also thrown from a bridge with tape covering his mouth, so nobody could hear his pleas for assistance.
A Whimper For Help
Bob Hoelter, residing in Griffith, Indiana, typically drives to the local store, but fortunately for Louie, that specific evening, he opted to walk instead.
A casual stroll turned into a rescue effort as soon as Hoelter glanced over a bridge and heard some sort of whimpering from afar. He might have brushed it off, but deep down, Hoelter sensed something was amiss.
He pursued the source of the faint voice pleading for help until he found himself beneath the bridge, as he recounted to The Dodo. Given the darkness, it was challenging for Hoelter to locate the dog, but luckily, he was equipped with a flashlight.
After a while, he ultimately discovered the unfortunate puppy curled up on the ground, trembling from fear and cold, but that wasn’t even the most dreadful part.
When he neared the puppy, Hoelter realized that the little one had electrical tape wrapped around his mouth, which distressed him even further.
Observing the condition of the puppy, Hoelter understood that time was of the essence and that the little one needed to be taken to the vet immediately, prompting him to lift the pup and transport him to the Griffith Animal Hospital.
Stranger With A Big Heart
Dr. Lori Kovacich, associated with the Griffith Animal Hospital in Indiana, also shared her perspective of the tale. She promptly admitted the puppy to the hospital and rescued him from an even worse fate:
“I was up from my chair and in the lobby to get him in seconds.”
Kovachich immediately perceived the gravity of the situation and took the puppy under her care without inquiring the name or number of the individual who brought him.
She was astounded and heartbroken witnessing such a cute, tiny puppy in such a dreadful condition; the skin around his muzzle was badly inflamed from the tape, which veterinarians believed had been on him for days.
Kovachich required a team of veterinarians and technicians to properly care for the pup. He received antibiotics for internal inflammation, ointment for his muzzle, and a plethora of stuffed toys along with a soft blanket, allowing him to finally rest.
Once the puppy had been taken care of, Kovachich regretted that she hadn’t had the opportunity to ask the identity of the person who brought the dog.
On the flip side, Hoelter was simply relieved that he had gotten the puppy to the hospital in time, so he then continued his walk to the store.
Another Day, Another Twist
Following the initial examination, everything seemed to be stable until further tests revealed that the pup also had a fractured leg.
Taking into account how long it had been left untreated, surgery was the only viable option.
Considering the dog’s injuries and the fact that he was discovered beneath a bridge, the hospital staff deduced that he had been thrown from it and likely landed on the ground instead of in the water. Incredibly, the puppy survived, albeit with severe injuries.
Dr. Kovachich was appalled by the entire incident. She felt overwhelming sadness and anger due to the brutality the little pup had endured, prompting her to write a post on Facebook on behalf of the entire hospital:
“A million thoughts rush through my mind as I try to process this. Bottom line, the wicked person/people responsible will rot in hell. They evidently lack compassion, have no heart, and exist in a miserable day-to-day existence. Karma.”
Sweet Reunion And Furever Home
The initial days of recovery looked promising, and the puppy, later named Louie, was beginning to feel significantly better. He even started exhibiting his playful character at the hospital, which is why everyone adored him.
Posts on the Griffith Hospital’s social media platforms were incredibly successful, helping the staff locate Louie’s rescuer and a new family.
Hoelter’s niece stumbled upon one of the posts, which she shared with her uncle. They made the decision to visit the hospital and check on the puppy before he departed with his new family.
Everyone at the hospital, including Hoelter himself, was taken aback by Louie’s response when he spotted his savior.
“I was astonished because I didn’t expect him to remember me.”
It turns out Louie did remember, as he rushed towards Hoelter upon seeing him, showering him with kisses and cuddles.
Following this touching encounter, Louie eventually found his forever home. Mary and Doug Witting, local inhabitants who were patrons of the hospital for years, had not planned to adopt a new dog shortly after losing their family pet, but there was something about Louie that they simply couldn’t resist.
The Wittings were the ones who named the puppy “Louie” and provided him with a home abundant in love, care, and affection. As Mary expressed:
“I thought, ‘That adorable little face, he needs me. I can offer him 24/7 love, and I require him’.”
For genuine dog enthusiasts, it’s unfathomable that anyone could possess the heart and audacity to not only abandon but also purposely harm such a small and sweet creature.
Fortunately, there exist individuals like Bob Hoelter, Dr. Lena Kovachich, and the Wittings who will always be ready to aid in the healing of both physical and emotional wounds.