North Carolina Rescuer Meets Former Fighting Dog And Is Left Stunned By What He Has In His Mouth
A nine-year-old dog spent his life chained in a backyard, but when rescuers finally arrived, he showed them his true, gentle heart using a surprising object.
A Life Of Cruelty Hidden In Plain Sight
When animal rescuer Rick prepared for his very first mission involving former fighting dogs, he braced himself for the worst. He expected to encounter vicious, unapproachable animals hardened by a lifetime of cruelty.
Instead, he met a nine-year-old dog named Mitch who completely shattered every preconceived notion he had.
Mitch had spent his entire life confined to a tiny patch of dirt. He lived on a heavy chain, forced to walk in the same small, sad circle day after day.
Like the other dogs on the property, he was completely exposed to the elements without adequate food or water. Shockingly, this suffering was happening within sight of the public, right near a local church where people passed by all the time.
The Observant Officer Who Changed Everything
It took a sharp-eyed animal control officer to finally change Mitch’s fate. She knew exactly what she was looking at when she surveyed the yard and refused to just look away.
Her thorough investigation ultimately saved multiple lives that day. To get the dogs out safely, she called in specialized help.
Rick arrived on the scene with Forgotten, Now Family Rescue. They are one of the only rescues in North Carolina willing to take on the difficult work of rehabilitating former fighting dogs.
This was Rick’s very first time participating in this kind of rescue operation, and his nerves were running high.
Bracing For A Vicious Monster
Mitch was approximately nine years old, an incredibly rare age for a dog forced into that lifestyle. Most dogs in his situation do not survive nearly that long.
His captors considered him a "champion," as he had survived and won at least three times. By the time rescuers arrived, he had almost outlived his usefulness to the people who exploited him.
Rick feared the worst as he approached the senior dog. He admitted that he fully expected to find a "vicious monster" waiting for him at the end of the tether.
He was far more nervous than the dog was. But as Rick got closer, he realized Mitch wasn’t growling or bearing his teeth at all.
The Dirt Bike Tire
When Rick finally stepped into Mitch’s small circle of dirt, he stopped in his tracks. The old dog was sitting quietly, looking up at his rescuers with soft eyes.
In his mouth, Mitch was gently holding a large dirt bike tire. He wagged his tail, seemingly inviting his rescuers into his space.
It was as if the dog was saying, "Hey, look at my tire." The heavy rubber object seemed to bring him a strange sense of comfort in an otherwise bleak world.
Mitch’s reaction was completely different from anything Rick had prepared himself for.
An Unexpectedly Gentle Soul
Rather than showing aggression, Mitch was actually impatient for affection. He looked at Rick as if to say, "What are you doing? Just get over here and love on me."
Rick reached out, and the senior dog happily accepted the gentle pets. Mitch was absolutely thrilled to finally have kind human hands on him.
After nine years of neglect and abuse, he just wanted someone to pay attention to him. There was something truly special about his spirit.
Despite everything he had endured, Mitch still loved people with his whole heart.
The Sound Of Freedom
The rescue team carefully unhooked the heavy metal hardware from Mitch’s neck. For Rick, there is no better feeling in the world than taking a dog off a chain.
He describes the incredible sound that a heavy chain makes when it leaves a rescuer’s hand and hits the ground. It is the sound of a dog never having to wear it again.
Mitch was loaded into a rescue vehicle for his freedom ride. He was finally heading to a real, safe place.
The old dog was severely underweight, but his journey toward healing had officially begun.
A Special Gift For A Good Boy
Once Mitch was safe in his new kennel, his rescuers wanted to give him something special of his own. They remembered how much he loved holding that heavy dirt bike tire in the yard.
They found a dog toy company that makes durable rubber tires and bought one just for him. Rick happily presented the new toy to the sweet senior.
From then on, Mitch could be found sitting in his comfortable kennel, happily holding his new toy. The rescue staff affectionately dubbed it his "emotional support tire."
Just like the first day they met, he would sit with his tire and wag his tail at anyone who walked by.
From Underweight To Snuggly And Spoiled
Today, Mitch’s life looks completely different from his days in the dirt. The once severely underweight dog has gained a healthy amount of weight and is happily well-fed.
In fact, Rick jokes that Mitch has gotten a little bit chunky thanks to all the treats he receives. He has also embraced a wonderfully lazy retirement.
When Rick tries to take him for a walk, Mitch often prefers to just lay down and snuggle instead. He has completely transformed into a massive, affectionate lap dog.
Looking back on that fateful rescue, Rick knows his own life was changed just as much as Mitch’s. "I found my heart on the end of a chain," Rick says, "and his name is Mitch."
