Life can be downright cruel to innocent animals. Too often, we hear heartbreaking stories of abandoned puppies, kittens, and other helpless creatures left to fend for themselves. Some are dumped on the side of the road, tied to trees, or worse – left in situations no living being should ever endure.

But every now and then, a story comes along that restores your faith in humanity – a story with a happy ending that reminds us there’s still kindness in the world. And this is one of those stories.

A man named Goran Marinkovic walks the streets of Kraljevo, Serbia, daily bringing food for more than 100 stray dogs and cats in need. In March of last year, he found a tiny puppy he couldn’t abandon.

“Passing a narrow pathway, I heard crying coming from the rocks,” Marinkovic told The Dodo. “She was cold, hungry and thirsty. I had food, so right away I gave her salami.”

The small dog lived by a trash heap, using an old boot for shelter. Too young to be alone, she searched for her mother, but Marinkovic found no other dogs nearby.

As he neared the puppy, she promptly lay down and exposed her belly.

“She was exhausted,” Marinkovic said. “She knew that I might be her only chance, so she lay down and surrendered to fate.”

Marinkovic picked up the little dog and took her to the vet, unsure if she would survive after being alone for so long under the open sky. Yet the puppy, whom he named Coco, was determined to persevere.

As Coco regained her strength, her loving personality emerged: “She loves people,” said Marinkovic. “She’s always cheerful.”

After posting photos of Coco on Facebook, Marinkovic received numerous offers to adopt the puppy, but she wanted to ensure she found the best home for her.

He contacted a friend and fellow rescuer with connections to international animal adoptions. After receiving all her vaccines, Coco traveled to her new home in Germany.

A year later, Coco has transformed from the sick puppy Marinkovic found hiding behind a shoe into a happy, fluffy dog eager for family adventures.

Marinkovic stated, “Coco is enjoying her beautiful home while on vacation, and I regularly receive pictures of her at sea. Every rescued street dog that finds a home is a personal victory for me.”

Marinkovic hopes that all strays in Serbia can find luck like Coco. With the support of people like her, these dogs are closer to the lives they deserve.

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