Hero Hiker Is Shocked To Find Shaggy Starving Dog Wandering Around The Desert By Himself

Oct 23, 2020 by apost team

Earlier this year, hiker Zoe Cadman found something unexpected while on the way to a trail in the Palm Desert in California's Coachella Valley. She came upon an abandoned dog wandering through the desert alone.

It started out as a routine morning when Zoe and her friends prepared for another of their hiking adventures. They set their sights on Coachella Valley and had their day planned out. Or, so they thought.

Just before they reached their destination, something unfamiliar caught their attention, as CBS Los Angeles reports. Instead of continuing to their destination, they slowed down to see what it was.

It was not a wild animal. It was a stray dog in bad physical shape. His coat was matted and full of foxtail plants, which can be dangerous for dogs. His unsightly appearance told a story of neglect, hunger, thirst, and a grave need for emergency medical intervention.

“We were almost to the hiking spot in Palm Desert when we saw what we thought was maybe a bobcat going across the street. So we slowed down and were like ‘Oh my God, it’s a dog,“ Cadman told CBS Los Angeles.

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Once they realized that it was a dog who needed their help, their hiking venture changed course and took on a whole new purpose. The dog was scared and was unaware that the people chasing him on that deserted road were actually trying to help him. He continued to flee until Zoe and a biker crafted a plan that reeled him in.

They put a cup of water on the ground, which was an offer that the thirsty dog could not refuse. Zoe again used her creative abilities to construct a makeshift leash and lead him to safety.

Zoe gave her new furry friend the name "Dave." As CBS Los Angeles reports, friends took Dave to The Shabby Dog, a multi-service pet care facility, where he was immediately received and groomed. The staff began shaving, cutting, trimming, pulling, and of course, petting. He was also taken to the veterinarian to get shots.

It was determined that he was microchipped, but there was no identifying information on it. They were, therefore, unable to determine who the original owner was or where the dog came from. Zoe tends to believe that the dog was intentionally dumped.

Now that he has been brought back from the brink, life for Dave is good. The owner of The Shabby Dog, Sandy Duvall, told CBS Los Angeles she thinks that he would not have survived out there in the elements much longer. But he is safe now. He has a lot of company at The Shabby Dog and will wait there until he's adopted.

And Zoe visits him every day. It appears that he is still awaiting a forever home, although interest in adopting him has been shown. The icing on the cake will be when he walks out of there with a new owner who will love and care for him.

Zoe and friends changed the course of history for this beautiful dog. In the end, this cute, feisty dog is an amazing creature. With the help of his human friends, he beat the odds and is thriving.

The Shabby Dog staff gave him a new look that appears to have a latent meaning. With the "mane" around his face, he looks like a small lion. With his incredible story of survival, that new look speaks volumes.

What is your take on Dave's survival story? Let us know and pass this story on so that Dave can get adopted!