When a gentleman named Flint stepped outside at 6 a.m. into the yard of his home in California, situated in the arid region between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, to care for his chickens, he assumed it would be an ordinary morning.
Upon completing his tasks, he was about to head back inside when an animal caught his eye, peering at him from the garden wall.
Judging by the appearance of the creature, Flint deduced that it was a wild wolf! As this wasn’t his first brush with a wild beast, Flint understood what to do – he swiftly brought his dog, Stella, indoors.
Once settled in, he opted to glance through the windows for a closer inspection of the wolf. That’s when it dawned on him that it wasn’t a wolf whatsoever!
Appearances Can Be Misleading
From the safety of his home, Flint was able to observe the animal without the anxiety affecting his judgment. That is when he recognized that it was actually a dog.
Despite understanding that the danger wasn’t as significant, he still exercised caution when approaching the puppy, whom he believed was either lost or abandoned by former owners.
“We live half an hour from the freeway, and people come all the way out here and abandon dogs,” Flint revealed to People.
After observing it from a secure distance, Flint and his partner realized that the puppy posed no threat and was merely curious if there were any kind humans residing in the house.
Flint and his partner chose to offer the pup some delicious food to build his trust and indicate that he was welcomed.
“We thought, ‘Okay, well, he is probably hungry at the very least.’ So we prepared a bowl of dog food and some water, and he cautiously approached and just devoured that dog food and drained the water,” Flint recounts.
After some time, the puppy moved closer to the humans and began licking their hands, seeking cuddles. It was evident that he not only desired food but also some love and attention.
As they spent time together, Flint and his partner found themselves falling in love with this charming pup, ultimately deciding to name him Balto.
A Fresh Start
Following some cuddles and a few additional bowls of food, Balto understood that the humans were trustworthy. Flint resolved to take him to a Californian veterinarian for an extensive checkup as well as a microchip examination.
The veterinarian assessed that the puppy was between one and two years old and had a slight injury.
“He had a wound on his paw. He’d gotten bruised or scratched. He might have been struck by a vehicle or brushed up against something. Additionally, he had a minor infection on his belly. It didn’t appear he had been living on his own for months, but he had certainly faced a tough time for at least a week or so,” he noted.
Upon discovering no microchip, Flint opted to investigate the area to see if anyone was looking for a missing dog. Not finding anyone who claimed Balto, Flint and his partner made the decision to welcome him into their caring home.
The adorable pup not only gained new guardians but also two fur siblings, Tugboat and Submarine, nine chickens, two roosters, and a canine sister named Stella.
The couple is still vigilant for any missing dog notices featuring Balto’s image, yet they are more than happy to fully integrate him into their warm family.
And, even if this lovely pup was abandoned, Flint harbors no ill will toward those responsible.
“You never know what situations someone may be in or what led to an event. So if he escaped, or if he was discarded, or if a family simply didn’t know how to care for him, those people still warrant understanding just as he does,” he remarks.
Flint cherishes the moments spent with his newly found best friend, who recently experienced his inaugural camping adventure.
Balto absolutely revels in the freedom of running outside without confines, yet he also adores enjoying quality moments by the campfire with his new parents, who are thrilled to have given him such a joyful and exciting life.
“My partner and I both know what it feels like to be challenging to love, demanding too much effort, energy, and causes of trouble for others. That’s precisely why it was so effortless for us to take Balto in. What I hope others take away from Balto’s tale is that no creature, no individual, is too challenging to love or is too demanding to be worthwhile,” Flint concluded.