When an animal has been abused or abandoned by their owner, learning to trust again isn’t an easy feat. Some dogs will lash out with warning bites or fully attack out of fear or trauma. But this isn’t their fault. Lee Asher, a well-known animal rescuer and founder of The Asher House, recently received a call from a rescue group he had worked with before. They informed him about a Dalmatian named River who was struggling at the shelter. River had been abandoned, left chained to a tree at a park, and her only hope for getting out of the shelter was to find a committed adopter.
Lee didn’t hesitate to step in and help. He promised to fly out and adopt River as soon as possible. Upon meeting the frightened dog, he discovered that she had been severely abused, both emotionally and physically. It was likely that a man had been responsible for her mistreatment, which made her initial interaction with Lee, a tall and imposing figure, somewhat challenging.
River was so anxious that she had chewed her foot to the point where she couldn’t put any weight on it. She also lunged for Lee and bit his leg. However, he didn’t blame her and understood this was due to her circumstances. As Lee spent more time with her, she began to relax and trust him. He knew it would take time for her to fully heal, but he was committed to giving her a better life.
The duo embarked on a long drive to bring River to her new home. During the journey, she made remarkable progress. She stopped chewing on her paws and even slept peacefully next to Lee. He decided to change her name to Rain, symbolizing a fresh start for the abused dog.
Upon arriving at the sanctuary, Rain immediately took to her new surroundings. She claimed a chair as her own and began to show signs of happiness and contentment. Lee’s dedication and patience gave Rain a second chance at life, and her transformation was truly heartwarming.
Play the video below to witness Rain’s remarkable transformation. Thank you, Lee, for all you continue to do for animals like Rain. We are forever grateful!
