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When Rebecca Van Schepen showed up early one morning to begin her shift at the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), she was surprised to spot a small figure sitting near the entrance. As she got closer, she saw the pleading eyes of a puppy silently asking for help. What she didn’t realize at first was that the pup had been waiting outside all night.
A Long Night Alone on the Doorstep
The four-month-old puppy, who would later be named Cowboy, had curled up on top of an Amazon delivery bag outside the shelter’s door. When he saw Rebecca, he made an effort to stand, but it was clear that one of his legs was badly injured. Security footage later confirmed that Cowboy had been abandoned around 7:30 p.m. the night before. He had remained in the same spot for over 11 hours until Rebecca arrived at 7 a.m.
“Security camera footage showed that he never moved from the Amazon delivery bag the entire night,” Ally Duncan, KHS’s PR and marketing coordinator, shared with The Dodo. “Despite his injuries, he had hope-filled eyes and was eager to crawl into Rebecca’s lap for love when she arrived.”
A Brave Dog With an Unbreakable Spirit
Though Cowboy was clearly in pain, he responded with nothing but warmth and affection toward the shelter staff. Sadly, his injured leg couldn’t be saved. The veterinary team made the difficult decision to amputate it to prevent further suffering.
“After the amputation, he was placed on cage rest for a few days to make sure that the stitches healed correctly,” Duncan said. “We could see a shift in his mood almost immediately. Cowboy transitioned to life with three legs beautifully!”
Healing, Happiness, and a Home
As Cowboy recovered, his personality began to shine even more. He was affectionate, lively, and brought happiness to everyone around him. “Cowboy is affectionate, playful and has never met a stranger,” Duncan explained. “During his time at KHS, Cowboy snuggled and kissed staff members, and spread joy everywhere he went. He was truly a breath of fresh air!”
A Perfect Match Found
Not long after his recovery, Cowboy found the forever home he so deeply deserved. His new family instantly fell in love with him, and the feeling was mutual.
“His new family says, ‘He fits into our family like a piece of a missing puzzle,’” Duncan said. “We are absolutely thrilled that we were able to help Cowboy and help him find his perfect home!”
