Tear-jerking footage shows an emaciated German Shepherd at an animal shelter melting into the arms of a dog expert when he utters two magic words: “Good girl.”
The heartwarming words, and the dog’s response, marked the beginning of her crucial recovery journey.
German Shepherd Macy was admitted to Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar, California, on Dec. 4, 2023, after someone left her at the shelter’s night drop facility. She was dehydrated and severely emaciated, weighing only around 42 pounds, with her rib cage protruding through her thin skin and dull, lackluster fur.
Dog expert Rocky Kanaka, who has a YouTube channel dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy, met Macy on her first day at the shelter and immediately pledged to take her under his wing.
“There are many questions and theories as to Macy’s background prior to arriving at the shelter,” a representative from his team told The Epoch Times. “All we know for sure is that a good Samaritan placed her in the shelter’s night drop, an area where the public can safely leave stray animals in a temperature-controlled environment after hours for staff to retrieve with no other information provided.”
It’s suspected that she either lived her life mainly on the street or lived in a backyard where she was not cared for properly,” the representative said.
“Macy reacted somewhat apprehensive at first approach ... she was quite confused on where she was at,” the representative told The Epoch Times. “She was also extremely vocal, whining and moving back and forth from her bowls of water and food as if she didn’t know what to do with herself.
“When Rocky first called her a good girl, she whined, melted into Rocky’s hands, and it was clear to the team she hadn’t been called a good girl in a long time, if ever.”
In the moving footage, Macy places her head in Mr. Kanaka’s hands as he caresses her gently and showers her with comforting words and affirmations.
It was soon time for medical testing and rehabilitation to get Macy ready for a second chance at life.
Initially, Dr. Victoria Impett from Animal Care Services in Norco feared that Macy had a blockage in her lower intestine. While reviewing her X-rays, they found a suspicious shadow in the photos. Luckily they didn’t have to put Macy under anesthesia to investigate as it turned out to be “mostly gas,” and Macy later passed a peach pit.
“This pointed to a rough life as she swallowed the peach pit, likely in desperation, searching for food,” a representative from Mr. Kanaka’s team said.
After a root canal at Animal Dental Services in Tustin, Macy began training with staff at Animal Care Services and with BADDogs inc, a local training group that has been helping her learn “how to be a normal dog again.” Macy has since gained over 15 pounds through a diet plan and lots of one-on-one attention. She’s currently boarding at Animal Care Services where she is getting the love she deserves.
“We are happy to say that, despite the trauma Macy endured, she remains a positive and happy pup, eager to meet others,” the representative said. “Words of affirmation absolutely mean the world to Macy, as she responds positively to verbal reinforcement, and treats definitely help!”
Describing her personality, the representative said, she’s submissive, curious, energetic, and eager.
“She is definitely a working dog that looks to her humans for reassurance and guidance,” the representative said. “She is still learning social cues with other dogs as she definitely did not receive training in the past, but she is eager and friendly towards other dogs. It’s all about learning manners!”
