Skinny Puppy Found ‘Eating Trash’ At Gas Station Transforms After Finding Love

“He was skin and bones …” 😰Published on Dec 20, 2025 at PMOn November 8, 2024, a security guard in Detroit, Michigan, stopped at a gas station early in the morning when he stumbled upon a shocking scene.“[He] noticed a tiny puppy eating trash next to the dumpster,” Liz Haack told The Dodo.Liz HaackSadly, the white-and-brown pit bull puppy was severely emaciated and completely alone.

But the compassionate security guard refused to leave the gas station without him.“It had been pretty cold out, and no other dogs were around, so the guy scooped the puppy up and put him in a box,” Haack said. “Knowing that his coworker volunteered with a dog rescue, the security guard took the pup to work with him, and the volunteer contacted the rescue for help ASAP.”Liz HaackRebel Dogs Detroit took the hungry pup in and posted his picture online in hopes of finding him a foster home.

Haack, a vet tech who co-founded Colony Cat Club Detroit and typically only fosters kittens, stopped scrolling as soon as she saw the puppy’s picture.“I saw the post, and something made me immediately decide to step up to take him,” Haack said.Liz HaackAs soon as Haack’s foster application was approved, she jumped in her car and raced to pick up the little guy, later named Joey.

When she finally got to the shelter, she couldn’t believe how tiny Joey was.“[H]e was even smaller than I imagined …” Haack said. “He was only 3 pounds and about 5 weeks old.

I almost cried when I first held him because all I wanted to do was love and protect this tiny little suffering creature.”Liz HaackHaack drove Joey home and took him inside for the first of many warm cuddles.

That’s when she realized just how perilous Joey’s situation was before being rescued.“When we brought Joey home, it was pretty clear that he wouldn’t have made it much longer if he had stayed outside on his own,” Haack said. “He was skin and bones, had a bloated belly from hunger and worms, and was dehydrated and cold.”Liz HaackJoey was in a delicate condition, but Haack thankfully had all the experience needed to treat him.

She dewormed him, gave him fluids, fed him small, frequent meals and kept him consistently warm.The weak little puppy had all the cards stacked against him, but thanks to Haack’s care, he soon began to turn a corner.“He was weak at first, but perked up after food and fluids,” Haack wrote. “He was so young, all he wanted to do was be snuggled and sleep while we held him, which we were happy to do!”Liz HaackAs weeks turned to months, Joey slowly transformed in front of Haack’s eyes.

Not only was he gaining weight and becoming more snuggly each day, but he also became best friends with Haack’s 2-year-old golden retriever.Liz HaackBefore long, Joey fully regained his strength, and he was officially ready to be adopted.

But when the rescue mentioned a potential adopter for Joey, Haack realized that she couldn’t bear to let him go.“I spent the whole day crying and then told the rescue I wanted to officially adopt him, since I couldn’t imagine life without him,” Haack said. “[W]e were all better off with him in our lives!”Liz HaackHaack officially adopted Joey that day and hasn’t looked back since.

They recently celebrated the first anniversary of his rescue and look forward to many more years of fun together.Liz HaackIt’s still unclear exactly what Joey’s life was like before being rescued.

But thanks to the man who saved him and Haack’s daily love and care, the resilient pup’s past is finally behind him.“Our goal has always been to give him a life that helps him forget whatever happened to him when he was a baby, and he doesn’t seem to have any trauma from his past,” Haack said. “ [It’s] been better than we imagined.”To help dogs like Joey get the care they need, you can donate to Rebel Dogs Detroit here.