We had never seen a dog in such a terrible condition. His skin was rough, covered with patches that resembled dried cement. It was hard to fathom the pain he must have been experiencing. When we first saw him, it was clear that this dog had endured unspeakable suffering.
The villagers told us the story. The dog had been abandoned by his owner. The person who was once his caretaker had refused to provide him with any treatment. As a result, his condition grew worse with each passing day. His disease became more severe, and he was left to fend for himself on the streets. It was as if he had been forgotten, left to suffer in silence.
Yet, despite all this, luck was on his side. One day, he came to beg for food in the village. By sheer coincidence, he found his way to a gang’s residence. We initially thought that the people there would turn him away, as most others had. But instead, they took him in. They fed him and cared for him as best as they could.
Although their situation wasn’t ideal (I won’t go into the details), the man who had been helping the dog decided it was time to find a family that could truly take care of him. He brought the dog to a woman’s family, asking them to look after the poor creature. This family, humble and kind-hearted farmers, agreed to take him in. They were honest, warm, and compassionate. They immediately saw how much the dog was suffering and decided to help him.
Sadly, the local vet wasn’t able to do much for the dog, but that didn’t stop the family from loving and caring for him. They showered him with attention, and their affection gave the dog a sense of security he hadn’t known for a long time. From that moment, the small alley near their house became a familiar place for the dog. He was no longer shooed away by the villagers; instead, they accepted him, showing him kindness and care.
Then one day, we met the kind woman who was caring for him. It was a fateful encounter that introduced us to this dog. When we first saw him, we were taken aback by his appearance. His body was covered in sores, his skin was thick and crusty. It was the first time we had seen a dog in such a deplorable state.
Despite the dire circumstances, we knew it was time to help him. However, the dog wasn’t ready to leave the familiar home of the kind family. He didn’t want to leave the loving environment that had given him some comfort. It had been so long since he had felt the warmth of love, and now that he was surrounded by it, he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave.
But the journey to recovery was going to be long. We had to prepare ourselves for what was to come. It was clear that healing this dog wouldn’t be easy, and the road ahead would be filled with challenges. But we were determined to help him, and the first step was to provide him with the nourishment and care he so desperately needed.
We began by preparing homemade meals for him, something that brought him joy and comfort. The boy in the family was overjoyed to see the dog devour the food. It was an encouraging sign that his recovery would begin to speed up. Along with the food, the dog also started taking vitamins and supplements, which were essential for strengthening his immune system. Thankfully, his appetite improved, and soon he didn’t need IV fluids anymore. However, the itching persisted, and it drove him crazy. He couldn’t sleep, and his frustration grew.
The next morning, we visited Poleng early. The vet informed us that the dog had barely slept the night before. We brought him his favorite meal, hoping that it would momentarily relieve his discomfort. The food seemed to help, but the road to recovery was still long. Gradually, Poleng began to understand that he was being helped. He started to trust us more, and soon he allowed us to touch him.
He was sad when we had to take him from the village, a place where he had experienced both love and hardship. He missed the villagers who had first shown him kindness. But after just a few days, his skin started to improve. The medications were having a positive effect, and the layers of scaly skin began to shed.
Days turned into weeks, and with every passing day, Poleng’s condition improved. His eyes softened, and the suspicion and aggression he once exhibited started to fade away. He knew we were helping him. We continued to visit him every day, bringing him food and keeping him company. With each visit, we saw more signs of progress. He was eating better, his skin was healing, and his transformation was incredible.
It had been only seven days since we started the treatment, and the results were already remarkable. Poleng had a new life in front of him. The once desperate dog was now becoming healthier, stronger, and happier. He had developed a bond with us, and our connection with him deepened each day.
By the end of the second week, we were already seeing dramatic improvements. His body was no longer covered in scabs, and his fur started to grow back. His face, once ravaged by disease, was healing beautifully. It was a sign of hope for all of us, and we were thrilled to see how well he was doing.
Three weeks into his treatment, Poleng was finally able to go outside and play. At first, he hesitated, unsure of the unfamiliar surroundings. But after a little encouragement and a delicious meal to tempt him, he stepped outside. It was the first time in a long while that he felt free enough to explore. However, even after stepping outside, he quickly returned to his safe space—the kennel. He felt secure there, and it was clear that he still needed time to adjust to the new world he was beginning to discover.
During our visits, we saw something truly emotional. Poleng, once a dog full of pain and fear, was now filled with gratitude and trust. One day, as we sat with him, we saw him look at us with tears in his eyes. It was a moment that touched our hearts deeply. The pain he had endured was still fresh, but he had come to realize that he was loved, cared for, and finally safe.
We were on the brink of witnessing a miracle. Poleng had not only survived his suffering but had flourished. He had become the dog we always knew he could be—happy, healthy, and surrounded by love. And though the journey was long and full of challenges, the reward was priceless. Poleng had found a new beginning, and we were fortunate enough to be a part of his remarkable transformation.
The story of Poleng is one of hope, resilience, and love. From being abandoned and suffering in silence to being rescued and given a second chance at life, Poleng’s journey is a reminder that no matter how dark the road may seem, there is always a light at the end. His transformation didn’t just change him—it changed us all, reminding us of the incredible power of compassion and the difference we can make when we open our hearts to those in need.
