Slaughter House Dog ‘Locked Eyes’ With 1st Human Who Held Out A Kind Hand

The reality of the dog meat trade is soul-crushing, but there are stories like this one that makes all the difference. The animal lovers who do all they can to rescue these dogs from an unthinkable fate are incredibly overwhelmed. Some rescuers operate out of makeshift shelters and the dogs, while “rescued” aren’t really safe, writes ilovemydogsomuch

“Day after day it’s hard to find words to describe the heartache in Harbin. The suffering is overwhelming… even for the ones who are saved. Safe here is a relative term — there is safe from slaughter, safe from disease, and then there is safe from a lifetime of suffering neglect and starvation.”

The rescuers heard about one particular local shelter and planned on taking their three worst cases into their care. One sweet dog, named Hope, had been in the shelter for too long. She was in horrible condition. Because they couldn’t afford proper medical care, Hope has been suffering from advanced mange and secondary skin infections.

The rescuers from HARBINSHS plan to use donations for Hope’s treatment. And they believe, that with time and medical intervention, she will get better. Hope is scared at first. She has no idea why she’s at the vet clinic. One technician takes Hope into her arms to comfort her. It was exactly what the dog needed! Hope began to accept that these humans were going to help ease her pain.

And they did! Hope is doing so much better now. She’s been adopted by a loving family and is living her best life. No living creature should have to endure a life of suffering. Every life is precious and now Hope’s suffering is forever in her past.