NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Nashville Pet Project works to raise money for two important programs in Nashville: Metro Animal Care and Control's (MACC) non-profit Friends of MACC and the Pet Community Center, which are both dedicated to saving the lives of animals.
One of the biggest life-saving programs at MACC is the "Emergency Medical Fund." In fact, a special dog named Teddy is alive and happy thanks to the program and a few angels.
The beginning of Teddy's life was full of pain and suffering.
WARNING: Images may be disturbing to some viewers.
"I remember the day I met him, it was Veterans Day, November 11th of last year, we were closed for the holiday but we still have to come in and feed the animals and clean," remembers Danielle Carter, the animal care supervisor at Metro Animal Care and Control. "I was in the middle of doing our meds, and one of my staff came up to me and said, 'You need to see this dog. It's pretty bad. He's really skinny, he's not standing, he's not eating much.'"
Teddy was dropped off at the clinic by someone who found him on the side of the road. So while they didn't know much about his history, they did know it was not what he deserved.
Carter took him home, and day by day, he got better. "I remember one day, it was maybe a week into our foster, I heard the crate making this interesting rattling noise. I was like, I think he's standing. I thought, I am going to grab my phone out because this might be like a really cool moment," said Carter. "I opened the door and he is standing on all fours, tail wagging. He couldn't walk, but he was able to get up strength to stand, which was a really, really special moment. I was like okay, that was when he got over the hump."
The next hurdle for Teddy — finding his forever home. That's when the Gallaghers come in.
"Probably his his cuddle illness, if that's a word," said Mara Gallagher, Teddy's new adopter when asked what her favorite thing was about him. "We cuddle every night and he just wants to be near me, on me or next to me. He's just so sweet."
Their job, which included putting a few pounds on him, was to make sure Teddy didn't remember how his life started.
"She saw him and that was it," said Nancy Gallagher, Mara's mom. "We were actually looking to foster, and we came here and while sitting at the front desk we said, 'We really need a dog who's going to be okay with cats,' and she said, 'Wait here,'" recalled Nancy. "She showed us a video of him and that was the end of it."
It seems like Teddy is off to a great start with his new family. Teddy does remember some things from his past, like the one who saved him and gave him the second chance he so deserved: Danielle Carter.
"He loves everyone. He's so trusting, which is great. Everyone always says, dogs are just so much better than the people or we don't deserve dogs, and sometimes it's kind of true, right? I mean, they they're so forgiving, and that's what I love about a shelter dog is that they are able to come back from such a bad start and then completely change or completely forgive and have the best life that they can ever imagine," Carter said.
Unfortunately, there are so many dogs just like Teddy out there that need help. Donating to programs like the Emergency Medical fund helps save dogs just like him. Click here to see the dogs available for adoption of MACC.
For more information about the Pet Community Center, click here.