One hot and sunny day in Texas, Desiree Reyes was out on her regular walk with her dogs, Knox and Coal, when something caught her eye—a sight that tugged at her heartstrings.
Peering from behind a fence in a nearby yard was a dog she had never seen before. It was a Cocker Spaniel, looking at her with eyes full of sadness and a quiet request for help.
Reyes felt that this poor dog was living its life outside, exposed to the intense heat and unpredictable weather.
Reyes remembered seeing another dog in that same yard a few years ago. That dog had also been left outside in all sorts of weather conditions.
She had asked the residents back then to allow the dog indoors, but they had refused. Eventually, the dog was no longer visible, which gave Reyes hope that they had changed their ways.
However, finding a new dog in the same situation brought back her concerns. “When I spotted yet another dog out there, I realized it was meant to stay outside,” Reyes explained to The Dodo.
“We were dealing with 90-degree days in Houston, and it wasn’t even the hottest part of the season.”
Feeling anxious but initially uncertain of what to do, Reyes decided to check on the dog daily. She begin by offering some comforting words, promising herself that she would keep a close eye on him.
True to her word, Reyes passed by the yard every morning, and the dog was always there, watching her every move with hopeful eyes.
Gradually, she began to bring him treats, and soon he recognized her as a friend, greeting her with joy and a wagging tail.
As the temperatures continued to rise, her worry also increased. Determined to help, Reyes left a note on the family’s door, reminding them of the Texas laws that demand proper shelter for dogs. Unfortunately, this didn’t bring any changes.
When a storm threatened, heightening the dog’s evident anxiety, Reyes approached the family again. This time, they admitted that the dog had never been allowed inside.
She then asked if they would give him up so she could care for him. To her surprise and relief, they agreed.
With his new freedom, the dog, whom Reyes named Benny, sprang to life. His tail wagged with excitement as he embraced his newfound freedom.
Reyes reached out to Tracey Cline, the founder of Rescue Texas, who provided support throughout this period.
A check of Benny’s microchip revealed his first owners had bought him when he was a puppy but had given him away when he was two, citing his high energy as the reason.
Though they couldn’t take him back, Benny’s path was uncertain, but not for long.
Reyes had already formed a bond with him and decided to become his foster mom. She worked with Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas (CockerKids) to find him a permanent, caring home.
In the meantime, Benny flourished in his foster environment. He loved playing with Knox and Coal, finding his energy and zest for life again.
“He’s like a brand-new dog. His spirit brightened almost immediately. He loves running around with his toys, and he’s even better at fetching than my retrievers,” Reyes shared.
Benny’s joyful transformation highlighted that it wouldn’t be long before he found a family ready to provide him with the love and security he had been missing for so long.
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