Rescuer Nervously Approached A Chained North Carolina Dog And Froze At What Was In His Mouth

After surviving years in a fighting ring, a nine-year-old North Carolina dog named Mitch proved that love can outshine even the darkest past.

When animal rescuer Rick first approached the dirt yard in North Carolina, he didn’t quite know what to expect. He was there to help rescue dogs from a suspected fighting ring, and his nerves were running high.

He braced himself to face a vicious animal hardened by years of cruelty and neglect. Instead, he locked eyes with a dog who was simply waiting for someone to show him a little kindness.

The dog was sitting quietly at the end of a heavy chain. In his mouth, he gently held an old dirt bike tire, wagging his tail in a desperate plea for affection.

Hidden In Plain Sight

For most of his life, this sweet dog named Mitch lived in a tiny, restricted world. His entire existence was confined to the small circle his heavy chain allowed him to walk.

He was completely exposed to the elements, lacking adequate food or water. Shockingly, the yard where he suffered was actually within sight of the public.

There was even a church nearby where passersby would have seen the dogs regularly. Yet, day after day, Mitch remained invisible to those who could have helped him.

It took a very observant animal control officer to finally change his fate. She looked over, knew something was terribly wrong, and launched the investigation that would save his life.

Confronting Preconceived Notions

Before meeting Mitch, Rick admits he didn’t really know what a former fight dog would act like. He assumed he would be walking into a yard full of dangerous monsters.

“I was way more nervous than he was,” Rick recalled about their first interaction. Mitch seemed almost impatient with the rescuer’s hesitation.

The dog’s body language seemed to say, “What are you doing? Just get over here and love on me.” He even proudly showed off his dirt bike tire as if inviting Rick to play.

It was a profound realization for the rescuer. This was an animal who just wanted someone to finally pay attention to him.

Breaking The Chains

The rescue operation was a joint effort with Forgotten, Now Family Rescue. They are one of the few organizations in North Carolina willing to take on such intense cases.

For Rick, the physical act of unchaining Mitch was an unforgettable experience. There is a distinct, heavy sound when a metal chain leaves a rescuer’s hand and hits the dirt.

Knowing that the chain would never go back on Mitch’s neck brought an overwhelming sense of relief. It marked the definitive end of the dog’s suffering.

“There’s no better feeling for me than taking these dogs off the chain,” Rick explained.

Surviving The Unthinkable

At the time of his rescue, Mitch was approximately nine years old. Rescuers learned that he was an old fight dog who had survived an unimaginably brutal past.

He was considered a “champion” in that dark world, having been forced to fight and win at least three times. By the time help arrived, he had nearly outlived his so-called usefulness to his abusers.

Most dogs in his situation do not survive nearly that long. He was likely being kept around simply to train other dogs.

Yet, despite everything he had endured, Mitch’s spirit remained unbroken. His ability to still love people so deeply was nothing short of a miracle.

The Freedom Ride

Once he was safely off the property, Mitch loaded up into the rescue vehicle. It was time for his long-awaited freedom ride.

“We’re going to a real nice place now,” Rick promised the sweet dog. Mitch settled in, soaking up the gentle touch of kind human hands.

His experience in the car was a stark contrast to the dirt patch he had known for a decade. He was finally safe, warm, and surrounded by people who cared about his well-being.

It was the beautiful beginning of an incredible rehabilitation journey.

The Emotional Support Tire

When Mitch settled into his new kennel, his rescuers wanted to give him something familiar to comfort him. They remembered how much he loved the dirt bike tire in the yard.

They found a dog toy company that manufactures durable rubber tires for pups. They immediately bought one just for Mitch.

“Mitch, look, we got you a tire, buddy,” they told him as they handed over his new prize. It quickly became his “emotional support tire.”

From that day forward, he would sit in his kennel with his tire, happily wagging his tail whenever someone approached.

Healing And Gaining Weight

When Rick first met the nine-year-old dog, Mitch was severely underweight. His body showed the physical toll of neglect and inadequate nutrition.

Once in rescue care, that quickly changed. Mitch was introduced to regular, nutritious meals and plenty of delicious treats.

Today, Mitch has filled out beautifully and even gotten a little bit chunky. His days of wondering when he might eat again are permanently behind him.

He is finally enjoying the comfortable, well-fed life that every senior dog deserves.

Finding Heart In A Rescue

Along with his new figure, Mitch has developed a delightfully lazy personality. The once-active survivor now prefers the softer things in life.

When Rick tries to coax him outside by saying, “Mitch, let’s go for a walk,” the dog often has other plans. He looks back as if to say, “But what if we just laid over here and just snuggled for a little bit?”

Their bond has grown incredibly strong since that fateful day in the dirt yard. Rick looks at the sweet, stinky senior dog with nothing but pure adoration.

“I found my heart on the end of a chain,” Rick shared, “and his name is Mitch.”