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In the dense outskirts of Bali, a frightened puppy was found stranded at the bottom of a narrow pit leading to a sewer. No one knew for certain how she had ended up there—whether she had stumbled in by accident or had been cruelly thrown in, but either way, she was stuck and scared, with no way to escape. A local rescuer, Selina, spotted her but was hesitant to climb into the dark and confined space. It was deep, and not knowing how the dog might react added another layer of risk. Still, she couldn’t leave the pup behind. She tried to coax the timid pup out using treats, gently calling out to her in the hope of forming a connection.
Despite Selina’s gentle approach, the dog remained cautious, unable to fully trust. After two days of unsuccessful attempts to help her out, Selina reached out to her friend Mia, who also works with rescue animals on the island. Together, they devised a plan that had worked in the past: irresistible fried chicken placed just right to lure the dog into a trap cage.
The setup was simple, and this time, it worked like magic. Enticed by the smell, the dog crept forward, cautious, but tempted. As she inched closer, the rescuers held their breath. She stepped inside, and the door finally clicked shut. Relief washed over them.
The change was almost immediate. As soon as she realized she wasn’t in danger anymore, her demeanor softened. Selina took her home, and what she found was not a fearful animal, but a puppy overflowing with affection. “She was just this love bug,” Selina recalled. The once-nervous dog, now named Dumbo, curled up beside her new guardian, wrapping her paws around her like she never wanted to let go.
Over time, the shy and withdrawn pup blossomed. No longer afraid, Dumbo began to feel secure in her surroundings, slowly gaining confidence with every passing day. She now walks proudly through her foster home, sure of herself, unrecognizable from the dog who once trembled in a pit.
“When she decides to trust you, she gives you her whole heart,” Selina said. “And that kind of love is overwhelming in the best way.” Keep scrolling to see the puppy’s rescue. If you’re interested in adopting Dumbo or Selina’s other rescue dogs, please click here.
