California Foster Mom Wasn’t Sure The Street Dog Liked Her Until He Did Something Unexpected

When Spud was rescued from California streets, he was covered in scars and his nose was healed shut. But beneath his trauma was a dog desperate for love, who soon revealed an adorable quirk.

Crossing The Border To Safety

Spud’s early life was a daily struggle for survival on the unforgiving streets. When rescuers first found him, he was severely underweight and suffering from parasites.

It was immediately clear that this sweet dog had endured unimaginable hardships. He was covered in itchy skin issues and carried visible scars from a painful past.

Despite the cruelty he had faced, his spirit wasn’t entirely broken. He just needed a safe place to land and someone willing to show him that humans could be gentle.

Spud was originally discovered wandering the streets of Mexico, trying to scrape by on his own. He was scooped up by Pokie and Friends, a dedicated rescue organization that specializes in saving vulnerable street dogs.

They knew right away that Spud was going to need extensive care and a quiet place to decompress. The rescue team arranged for his transport, hoping to give him a fresh start.

The Physical Toll Of His Past

When Spud arrived at his new foster home, his caregivers took a closer look at his injuries. The trauma he had endured was heartbreakingly obvious.

A couple of his teeth had been knocked out, hinting at the rough encounters he had survived. But the most concerning injury was right in the middle of his face.

It appeared Spud had suffered some kind of severe abuse to his snout. The damage was so extensive that the nasal passage had completely healed shut, leaving him unable to breathe through it at all.

Despite the clear evidence of abuse, Spud remained remarkably gentle. His caregivers were determined to show him the kindness he had always deserved.

Arriving At The Sanctuary

Spud found his safe haven at Sacred Paws, a dog sanctuary run by compassionate animal lovers. Foster mom Alyssa Blackwelder was there to welcome him with open arms.

“He was in bad shape when we got him,” Alyssa recalled. “He just needed someone to take him in and help him get back on his feet.”

Alyssa was no stranger to helping dogs in desperate need. She knew exactly how to give Spud the time and space he required to feel secure in his new environment.

A Timid But Quick Connection

Given his history, Alyssa wasn’t sure how Spud would react to her presence. When they first met, the battered dog was understandably hesitant.

“I was like, oh, this dog is kind of timid and I didn’t know if he liked me,” Alyssa explained. She gave him the grace to approach on his own terms.

To her surprise, it didn’t take long for Spud to realize he was finally safe. Within just three minutes of their introduction, the sweet dog walked right up to her and asked for affection.

An Unexpected Sound

Once Spud realized that nobody at the sanctuary wanted to hurt him, his entire demeanor shifted. He completely melted into his caregivers, desperate for love.

That’s when he started doing something incredibly unique for a dog. As Alyssa pet him, Spud began purring just like a happy house cat.

He also started making sweet little happy grunts to show his contentment. It was a beautiful sign that he was finally letting his guard down and enjoying the comforts of a loving home.

One Heartbreaking Fear

Despite his joyful progress, Spud still carried one heartbreaking trigger from his past. He was absolutely terrified of taking food directly from a person’s hand.

If anyone tried to offer him a treat from their fingers, the poor dog would immediately freeze in fear. Alyssa suspected this trauma might be tied to the abuse that caused his facial injuries.

However, if his caregivers simply placed the food on the ground, Spud would happily eat it right away. It was a small adjustment the sanctuary team was more than willing to make to keep him comfortable.

Other than that specific fear, his foster mom noted that he acted just like a very normal, happy dog. His tail never seemed to stop wagging.

Making Up For Lost Time

Alyssa has fostered an incredible 46 dogs, and 18 of them have been street dogs just like Spud. She has noticed a heartwarming pattern among these resilient survivors.

“All of my street dogs love to snuggle,” she shared. “It’s like all those nights sleeping alone out on the streets, they’re making up for lost time.”

Spud was no exception to this rule. He constantly wanted to be the “little spoon,” soaking up the warmth and companionship he had been denied for so long.

A Heart-Shaped Nose And A Bright Future

Today, Spud is thriving, and his unique features only make him more endearing. He boasts beautiful blue eyes, gorgeous red fur, and his damaged nose actually looks just like a heart.

While he is living his best life, the sanctuary is currently working on getting him the surgery he needs to finally breathe properly through his nose again.

There is just something about Spud that makes everyone fall in love with him. As Alyssa perfectly put it, “He just seems so at peace and it really inspires peace in all of us.”