When dogs run away from home, rescuers often have the goal of making sure the animal is safe and finding its owner. But for those who saved Saiga, they wanted nothing more than for him to be free from his home forever.
Saiga has spent 15 years of his life chained in a small space. He’s been severely neglected, doesn’t get enough exercise or attention, and that’s the only life he knows.
When the dog’s health began to deteriorate, its owner removed its leash – likely assuming it would continue to lie there, too ill to move. However, the dog immediately ran away and found a new place to lie down, somewhere far away from the owner and his scary “home”.
When rescuers found the poor old dog, they knew he needed immediate help. It was cold and the dog appeared to have been alone for a week before help arrived.
One of the rescuers, Olga, helped bring Saiga to the vet for care and they shared a photo of him on social media. The photo caught the dog’s owner’s attention, and he called to claim the dog back!
Of course, Olga and the others wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing that the precious Saiga had returned to the owner who had caused him so much suffering over the years. So they kept the dog and decided to do everything in their power to give him the best golden days of his life.
At the age of 15, Saiga was nearing the end of his life when Olga found him. He was troubled with health problems and couldn’t even stand on his own. While some lifeguards chose to cure the poor dog, Olga wanted Saiga to experience joy and love in his life before he passed away. She thought he still had a bit of a fight in her, and she was right!
It took a lot of therapy and care, but Saiga gradually gained enough strength to be able to stand on her own. After that, his hair started growing back in the places where he went bald. Finally, he walked on his own!
Saiga stayed with Olga, and the two are doing better than ever for the next year or so!
16-year-old Saiga is now meeting new friends, experiencing new sights and truly living life to the fullest for the first time. His transformation is really beautiful and inspiring. Check out the video below:
