Without loving homes and families to care for them, strays are forced to lead incredibly hard lives in often unforgiving environments. Such was the case with a golden retriever found wandering around Turkey’s Central Anatolia region–spotted carrying a minuscule piece of bread in her mouth.
When Ayberk Ayar came across this poor pup he wanted to know more about her story. After inquiring from locals nearby, it became apparent that she’d been by herself on these streets for over two weeks!
Horrified by what he saw, Ayberk shared a picture of the golden retriever on his Instagram. No sooner had Tracy Behnke from Rescuers Without Borders seen it than she realized that without immediate help the animal would either die of hunger or be injured in some way. Prompted into action, Tracy and her team at Rescuers Without Borders organized volunteers to find the distressed dog.
After a plethora of searches, the crew eventually pinpointed her last known whereabouts; however, she had already gone. The volunteers refused to back down and explored even further for fear that someone else might take advantage of her vulnerability.
After rigorous efforts, the support of local villagers, and sheer dedication, they eventually located the retriever. Bewilderingly, she had been abandoned in a dismal shed with no sustenance or water.
After the rescue team had released Harper from her inhumane circumstances, they gave her a new name – symbolizing the fresh start that lay before her. As soon as she felt secure with the volunteers and knew she was safe, it didn’t take long for Harper to settle down comfortably into their vehicle.
Following her stay in a Turkish foster family, Harper and the Rescuers Without Borders team boarded an airplane headed to San Francisco.
After seeing Harper in pictures, Tracy and her husband could not help but make the trek from Oregon to San Fransisco just for a chance to meet this beloved pup. Despite being homeless and living on the streets, it was abundantly clear that Harper’s endearing spirit had remained unscathed by adversity.
Even though Harper was in secure hands, Tracy couldn’t help but observe that she remained on high alert. She attempted to stay awake despite her exhaustion as if she were preparing for a possible attack. Moreover, Harper even seemed reluctant to accept the food they offered her – a clear indication that something inside of her still felt unsafe.
Despite being a rescued dog, Harper has had to adjust to her new life with patience and care. Luckily, she is now settled in her foster home situated in Washington State where she can finally start enjoying the comforts of home.
Although Harper is happily situated in her new home, Tracy can’t help but look forward to the joy that she will bring to a different family who is eager to take her into their lives.
(h/t: thedodo)