Michigan Community Rallies Around Abandoned Dog

A West Michigan community has rallied around the recovery of a dog that was left on the road to die. The abandoned breeding dog named Hope wandered out of the woods into an East Grand Rapids neighborhood and collapsed in the middle of the road. At first, residents thought she was dead. However, on further inspection, they realized that she was just exhausted and extremely malnourished.

Emilee Bond’s husband saw the dog first, Bond said “My husband was out walking our dogs right here on this street and he spotted in the road a dog that looked like it had been potentially hurt or hit by a car. This dog looked like, honestly it wasn’t going to make it, she was literal skin and bones … the dog was in incredibly bad shape. It took a sip of water and then collapsed its face in the water bowl, too tired to even lift its head again.”

Their neighbor, Rachel, rushed the dog to Cascade Animal Hospital, promising to adopt her if she recovered. After various tests and treatments, vets discovered that Hope had a skin infection and rocks in her stomach, likely having eaten them out of desperation. They also learned that she was about seven years old. The dog was put on a feeding tube and IV. Slowly, the dog has gained strength — earning her the name Hope for bringing hope to all involved.

Hope is now eating on her own and has been walking a bit. Emilee started a GoGundMe “Help For Hope” to cover veterinary expenses that has raised over $21,000 with an initial goal of $10,000 thanks to neighbors, friends and people across the world that are following Hope’s story of recovery. While authorities continue to investigate who abandoned her, the small American Bully with a sweet disposition remains in veterinary care. Once she is ready to be released, Rachel and her three other rescue dogs will open their home to their beacon of Hope.