In September of 2015, William was a starving, abandoned dog who had no hope for a future. He had been left on the side of the road in Coventry, England, and looked like a skeleton, reports the Daily Mail.
Source: RSPCA
The puppy was only 11 months old and weighed a mere 6,5lbs,which is a normal weight for a small cat. One of his rescuers from the RSPCAsaid:
He is the thinnest dog I have seen in the 10 years I have been an inspector. You can see every single bone in his body.
Source: RSPCA
He was nearly dead when the volunteers took him to their clinic and put him on an IV drip, where he took days to start eating even the smallest amounts of food. Slowly, the puppy started to put on weight in spite of being at death's doorstep.
Source: RSPCA
He was determined to live and refused to give up hope, even though he was so severely malnourished that he would be permanently stunted. William would never grow to the full size of a normal Greyhound mix.
Source: RSPCA
Rachel Butler, who works for the RSPCA and was a part of William's rescue group, fell in love with the pup the minute she saw him. She said:
I went to meet him at the Coventry branch. I was so excited to meet him. He bounded up to me and gave me a little lick on the nose!
She and her husband-to-be, Chris, knew they had to adopt him and waited patiently until the dog had picked up enough weight. Then William went to his new forever home and met his brother, Harry the Westie. Rachel continued:
It's purely a coincidence that they share names with Prince William and Prince Harry - but they definitely get treated like royalty at home.
Source: RSPCA
When the loving couple got married in October, they did not think twice about having their four-legged friends as a part of the ceremony. William, healthy and strong, looked adorably handsome in a bowtie and knitted jumper that keeps him from getting cold, while Harry was a smart best man too.
Source: Kate Lowe Photography
In the meantime, William's original owners,Christopher Rushton and Kirsty Hales, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and are banned from adopting animals in the future, as well as being given a suspended prison sentence and having to do 35 hours of unpaid community service. They had bought the puppy online and neglected to feed him for the first few months of his life.While William's story is a happy one, not all pets in shelters are this lucky. If you live in England, you can visit the RSPCA, and if you live in the United States, you can visit the ASPCA to get more information about pets available for adoption.Tens of thousands of dogs and cats end up in shelters each year, either due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. Consider adopting before you shop, and visit your local shelters before going to a breeder. Every dog and cat deserves a fair chance at a forever home.
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At Holidog, we aim to improve the lives of your furry friends. Enjoy your holidays with peace of mind, knowing your pet is in great hands (find a petsitter near you) and spoil them with our monthly subscription box filled with yummy treats and toys (get your free box here). You can count on us!
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The Soul-Stirring Moment This Abandoned Pup Realises He’s Just Been Adopted
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