In late January 2021, a family found a large dog named Ethan alone in a parking lot. He was severely malnourished, weighing less than half of what he should. The pup was so ill and motionless that vets didn’t even know if he was alive at first.
But after weeks of consistent care and love, Ethan gained weight and sprang to life. He became a social media star along the way, with many dog lovers cheering him on. Now, Ethan is finally in a comfortable forever home with his new family. His story goes to show that every dog is worth it.
Part of a Family
Ever since Ethan arrived at the Kentucky Humane Society, staff member Jeff Callaway felt a special connection. He would come to the shelter at night to care for Ethan, and later, he fostered the pup. Right away, Callaway was impressed by how well Ethan fit into his family.
“He just became a part of the family,” Callaway said. “Early on, we realized it was something that we were hoping for, and we’re just happy that it became reality.”
So, when it came time, Callaway’s wife, five kids, and many pets were all in agreement. They chose to make it official and adopt Ethan! Ethan went from 38 pounds to about 85 pounds during his time at the shelter, and many of his major health concerns were cared for. So, he was more ready for a family than any dog has ever been!
Ethan’s Happily Ever After
To honor Ethan’s adoption day, the humane society organized a celebration event for him. They went live on social media to introduce Ethan’s new family and to congratulate the pup. Outside the building, they created an archway of balloons, and staff lined up to cheer for Ethan. He’s become a canine celebrity throughout his incredible recovery.
“We’re just so excited,” Callaway said. “Generally, we’re pretty private people, But we had specific conversations about taking Ethan on and his popularity, and we as a family decided that if his story can bring awareness to all of the other animals at all the other shelters, then it was well worth it.”
While Ethan’s situation is rare, many dogs are abused or neglected with no consequences for the humans. The Callaways hope Ethan’s story will help put an end to that and encourage more people to adopt. Plus, the shelter can already save more animals than usual thanks to the overwhelming amount of donations they received in Ethan’s name.
Police are still investigating Ethan’s case, but it’s unlikely that justice will be served. The place where Ethan was left is a blind spot for the cameras, so the chances of finding the suspect are very slim. If you have any information about the situation, please contact Louisville Metro Animal Services at 502-473-PETS.
On a more uplifting note, you can also keep up with Ethan’s journey on his very own Facebook page!
Watch the Footage from Ethan’s Adoption Here:
H/T: courier-journal.com
Featured Image: @kyhumane/Facebook
