Indiana Shelter Staff Brought To Tears When A Starving Great Dane Puppy Showed Up At Their Door
Meet Avenue, a sweet Great Dane puppy whose amazing story tugs at heartstrings.
It started with a heartbreaking call to local authorities: a young Great Dane had been discovered in awful shape.
When the team at Street Outreach Animal Response Initiative (SOAR) in Indiana welcomed him, Avenue’s condition shocked them.
He was just a puppy, likely four to six months old, yet already enormous as Great Danes go. Despite his size, he was fragile.
He weighed only 58 pounds, far too little for a dog of his age and breed.
His legs were so weak he had to hop like a bunny just to get around, and climbing stairs was impossible without help.
It was clear he had been starved, neglected, and abandoned. And yet, he was incredibly gentle.
He didn’t growl, cower, or show fear. Instead, he trusted the people who had just become his rescuers.
That kind of trust is rare and beautiful.
From the very first day, Avenue needed round-the-clock care. The SOAR team fed him every three to four hours, even in the middle of the night.
They checked on him constantly and made sure he felt safe, loved, and comforted.
Slowly, as his body grew stronger and his belly filled, his true personality began to shine.
The big, goofy energy of a Great Dane came out in bursts of playful excitement.
He’d hop, stumble, and run with his awkward but endearing puppy movements, and the team would cheer and sometimes shed happy tears.
The first time he ran with full control of his legs was a moment none of them would ever forget.
Avenue was smart too. He quickly learned commands and loved showing off, wagging his tail nonstop whenever he got something right.
Over time, his body caught up to his spirit. He grew strong, reaching 95 pounds.
He was healthy, happy, and even more lovable than anyone imagined.
Finally, the day came for him to leave the shelter for his forever home. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy.
There were hugs, tears, belly rubs, and even a few extra minutes to savor the moment. The rescue shared on Facebook:
“Team has been saying goodbye for days. Today we got him all bathed, packed his bed, crate, coats, clothes, toys, food….it was like moving your young adult to college.”
There was also joy and peace. Avenue was ready for a life where he would be adored, have a cozy bed, a yard to run in, and people who would never let him down again.
His story began with pain and neglect, but it ended with love, safety, and a second chance at life.
For everyone at SOAR, Avenue will always be that floppy-eared, goofy puppy who reminds them why their work matters so much every single day.
