superblyme
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Francis was found abandoned in a box near a dumpster one cold night in February. At first, they thought he was dead. He was cold and very still. However, they soon noticed that the pup seemed to be breathing...
Francis was brought to the local no-kill animal shelter, CARA. A visit to the vet confirmed that, while the pup was alive, he was trapped in a deep coma.
Though he was non-responsive, the people at CARA did everything they could to bring him back to health. He was kept warm and comfortable. And, on Valentine's Day, a party was held in his honor.
Francis got many visitors. Big visitors...
...small ones...
... and even furry ones!
Many left Francis with Valentine's cards full of kind words and well wishes.
With all this love, Francis began to take notice... and soon his eyes were opened.
With the help of a volunteer physical therapist, Francis's recovery sped along. He went from opening his eyes and raising his head...
... to standing on his own...
... to walking!
Grrr!
This pup was a fighter.
More parties...
... fashion shows...
... play...
... rest...
... and PT work...
... and see how far we have come!
Did you think I could do it?
Looking better than ever! Even if his walk is a bit derp.
That's more like it!
Francis is now a happy, healthy (adult) puppy.
Making friends!
Merry Christmas!
No ears!
The people at CARA have chosen to keep him at the shelter as their mascot, rather than adopting him out to another family. He attends special events and helps with their fundraising efforts.
All grown up!
If you are inspired by this story, reach out! Donate your time or money at a local animal shelter, spay and neuter your pets, and keep an eye out for cardboard boxes that may at first look empty...
... and Francis says thank you!!!
MakeTheWorldPretty
Stories like these make me all warm inside.. Such a wonderful little guy
Avilane
Onions, man. Onions... *Goes off to hug his puppy.*
OmgRULatina
Wow, I really didn't want to cry my eyes out right before doing laundry and going to bed, but game on! Adorable dog, such a fighter.
izoazlion
Genuinely my eyes never well up on Imgur. That just changed.
ohyeahhhWAITno
This seriously made me tear up, +infinity.
HoleInPants
Beautiful and lovely pup :)
baconbeerandbooks
Oh my...great story. Thank you for saving this guy.
CurrentlyDrunk
Dem ears <3
theDaffodil
What an angel!
Dainslaif
Polpette
The rare times I don;t mind opening a large album +1
ElastaGirl
This put a HUGE smile on my face. Thank you Francis. I wish you many more years of life. :)
bluepicklezz
D'awwwww, I love it! Look at those big fuzzy ears. Who's a good boy?!
SergiousMaximus
Have my upvote. And my tears. And my gratitude for the joy in my heart.
kitterkat
Ugh I would have adopted him in a heart beat.
GnRtattoo
Shelters and rescues are loaded! They all have a sad story, but they don't all have publicity. Go adopt a new best friend!
narcoticnarwhal
Who the hell is cutting onions right now? D:<
IveBeenOnHereForHours
i legit teared up. you go CARA.
TrixiHobbitz
Same here
GrumpyNyanKittySoftWarmHOWDOYOULIKEYOURCATS
Carrots, carrots EVERYWHERE!
therealscarletwitchnoidontknowwhatmypowersareeither
I love that this is a thing now!
battery1979
Enlighten me please.
SassySemen
He's beautiful. How could someone leave a defenseless animal (a baby at that) to die? Makes me want to cry
bananasaur
Can't. Upvote. Enough.
LooneyKartoony
In the last picture, he looks like the dog version of Nathan Drake from Uncharted.
justjessblog
I don't know what that is, but I upvoted you anyways. =)
HylianHero93
Francis, you rock.
bovinious
mad respect to CARA, amazing work you guys do.
stephzombie82
Amazing what love can do!
superblyme
BONUS VIDEO of baby Francis learning to walk: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1911417302621&set=vb.143198654159&type=3&theater
snuzzled
OH MY GOD I just died of cute. Good for all for you for taking your time to help this sweet baby.
CODQUEEN
Thanks for sharing the video. I couldn't help but smile the whole time.
idonutbelonghere
Opened this in a new tab for later, had to come back just to upvote it. Such a joy <3
superblyme
In the end, his walk is a bit funny, but effective: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2382492565958&set=o.120731054670255&type=3&theater
rasmu611
I could watch him bounce around all day! :'D
pandaslikebamboo
Does he always bounce around or just when he's playing?
superblyme
He bounces when he tries to run. His normal walk is a kind of high-step.
Steady
This is beautiful. You are a WONDERFUL person OP! I hope you have a wonderful time with your handsome dog (:
neverassumenormality
The name Francis is fitting. St. Francis is the protector of animals in my faith. Makes my heart swell to see someone cared about him.
superblyme
That is how he was given his name. :)
neverassumenormality
Aww cool! Not a coincidence then haha!
Rogahar
Thanks to imgur, I can't walk past a box/bag lying out in public without taking a look to make sure it's not full of puppies. No luck yet :(
Lixx
That's good though, don't you think? I'd lose all my faith in humanity if I found an abandoned puppy in a trashcan somewhere.
Rogahar
Oh, definitely. If I found out I'd passed by a box with something in too late to do anything, I'd be heartbroken :(
Lixx
Me too. It breaks my heart everytime I'm outside of Sweden and see stray dogs. They don't exist here, luckily!
Iamfunnydamnit
Ugh, I can only give +1.. more if I could.
PSYchr
601-922-7575, call the number and ask to donate $. You'll make Francis' day!
bulbocavernosusreflex
I said this once and someone said, "Go upvote all of their previous posts." Just payin it forward.
ArmyDominic
Here, take mine!
battery1979
His name is Francis, but everyone calls him Psycho. Call him Francis, and he'll kill ya.
superblyme
+1 for you as well. :) Francis is adorable and I feel like his story should be shared!
YouHaveCatToBeKittenMe
Were you a part of his story? I cried tears of sadness, then joy... I volunteer with retired greyhounds... best feeling ever.
superblyme
Just a visitor and general CARA volunteer. :) He had all the big guns on his side.
YouHaveCatToBeKittenMe
So much love to you and what you're doing! Volunteering can't feel much better, eh!?
qu33nofantisocial
I volunteer at our local shelter and it has been an amazing experience since day one. Please volunteer if you have the free time!
greatwhitenorthbre
Me too! Kudos to you!
KeepItLoki
So many people volunteer at our local Humane Society that they have to turn others away.
PulloverNoItsACardiganKillerBootsMan
How could anyone abandon a dog, one of the most loyal creatues in history? Always reminds me of that abandoned Charmander.
qu33nofantisocial
Not all of them are abandoned, although a majority of them are "surrendered" because owners can no longer care for them, a lot are strays
qu33nofantisocial
that never find their humans, also. Better to bring your pet to the pound than leave it on the streets. My county shelter is no kill. :)
Kynlo
I swear, if I abandoned mine (would NEVER happen) - he would find his way home, he has nothing but love. My little sweety!
qu33nofantisocial
Years ago my cat had kittens and when I re-homed them one of them find their way home from across town. He was only 4 months old.
Kynlo
haha AWW
qu33nofantisocial
Totally would have kept him but the owners called asking if he had wondered home. :( I was upset they let him outside alone so soon.