Neglected Senior Dog ‘Discarded With the Rubble’ Crawls Out of Home Under Demolition

(Illustration - Shutterstock)

Onlookers were devastated to witness a mangy senior dog dragging herself out from beneath a home demolition in Hawaii. The call for help and the community team that came to the rescue saved the dog’s life and helped pave the way for a happy future.

When the dog was first noticed, she was scrabbling to flee the dust and rubble as the home she had been sheltering under was being torn down. Onlookers called PAWS of Hawaii, a local animal rescue charity on the island of O'ahu; they promptly took the weak and feeble senior pup into their care.

The emaciated dog, estimated to be over 10 years of age, showed signs of overbreeding. She had lost most of her hair, had infected eyes, and could barely stand unassisted.

On Oct. 31, 2019, PAWS took to Facebook to share their latest resident’s sad story. “This beautiful old soul laid her head against one of her rescuers after she was brought to safety,” they began. “It’s like she knew her story was about to change.”

The dog “woke up and crawled out from underneath a house as it was being demolished,” shelter staff explained, adding that they believed her owner wanted to “do away with her.”

“She had already faced years of neglect,” the post continued, “given them her puppies and all her heart, yet she was discarded with the rest of the rubble.”

The local community rallied to help in any way they could, including with much-needed donations of nutritious dog food. “PAWS of Hawaii called Dr. Kelly Dowdall-Garberson asking if she could assist in saving this dog,” PAWS explained. “Our veterinarian responded the same as always: ‘Yes!’ She never turns away an animal in need.”

The dog was transported to Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services for urgent medical treatment where a member of the administration staff sat with the nervous animal to comfort her during her examination.

“She laid her head against Jenna’s leg, begging for love,” PAWS said, “then continued over to Jack as if to say, ‘Mahalo for saving me, I am now safe!’” They named the dog Briar Rose.

Dr. Dowdall-Garberson took Briar Rose to her own home for the night to receive some tender, loving care and medical monitoring. The rescue team marveled at Briar Rose’s timely rescue; they speculated that though the demolition hadn’t killed the senior dog, she likely would not have survived much longer on her own.

Both PAWS staff and Dr. Dowdall-Garberson noticed how eager Briar Rose was to give and receive love from her rescuers despite her tragic neglect. Healthy food, a comfortable bed, and a loving foster family slowly brought Briar Rose back to life—the life she had always deserved but had been deprived of.

A Facebook update days later from Briar Rose’s foster mom, Holly Rose Hamilton, heralded exciting news. “Good Morning!” Holly wrote, imitating the voice of Briar Rose. “Getting some new hair on my ears and face this morning. Think I’m gonna be white and brown.”

And on Nov. 3, 2019, the stoic senior dog’s world got a little bigger. “My mom took me to see the ocean for the first time today,” the narration added. “I couldn’t believe it!”

As PAWS of Hawaii said themselves, “[S]ome humans hurt and some heal.” For Briar Rose, the healing hands arrived just in the nick of time, and today, her future is looking brighter than ever.