Dogs can arrive in shelters in many different ways: some are surrendered by their owners while others are rescued from the streets. But recently, one stray dog arrived at an animal rescue on his own — sticking out his paw as if to ask for help.

The remarkable moment was shared by the nonprofit Off the Grid Animal Sanctuary, in Texas. In October, the sanctuary’s owner Bionca Smith noticed the dogs barking at something outside the fence.

She looked and saw that a stray dog was waiting just outside the gate, as if waiting for someone to take him in as a rescue.

Bionca went outside to meet the stray. “I could tell he was looking for help but his face was a little intimidating to me for a brief moment,” she wrote on Instagram. “I could’ve been afraid he’d bite me. He could’ve been afraid I’d hurt him.”

But the two set aside any reservations and formed an instant trust. In a beautiful moment, Bionca offered her hand to the dog — and the stray responded by putting out his paw, as if to say “I’m ready to be rescued.”

 

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A post shared by @offthegridanimalsanctuary

Bionca led the dog to the sanctuary, where he received a welcome greeting at the gate from “guardian dog” Kumo, the “alpha” of the pack and the “friendliest dog.” The stray was then brought to a quarantine period.

In an update, the sanctuary wrote that the stray, now named Deputy, was doing “amazing” and “living the dream” in his new surroundings.

Video shows the once-sad-looking former stray has completely changed in demeanor, cuddling with his human friends and running around with the other dogs outside.

 

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A post shared by @offthegridanimalsanctuary

“We’re getting to know Deputy and he’s a phenomenal fun loving dog!” the sanctuary wrote. “His demeanor is completely different than the dog that came to us sad and afraid yet asking for help!”

It’s not clear when or if Deputy will be put up for adoption, but it’s clear he’s made an incredible improvement and is loving his new home.

What a touching moment to see this dog reach out his paw to ask for help — we’re so glad Deputy is thriving in the care of this animal sanctuary!

Please share this heartwarming story if you love dogs! ❤️🐾

Dog’s “eyes say it all” after firefighter rescues him from Hurricane Milton flood

Our hearts continue to go out to the countless people affected by the devastating Hurricane Milton, and we thank the first responders and rescuers who have been stepping up in the aftermath.

Emergency workers have been hard at work rescuing all the animals who were displaced by the storm. In one heartwarming rescue story, a Florida firefighter saved a dog from floodwaters — and the dog’s “eyes said it all” ❤️

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was among the many Florida departments doing essential, life-saving work in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton last week.

Cpt. Dusty Mascaro of the department’s search and rescue team was on duty when he came across a citizen in need: a Bernese mountain dog, stranded in high flood waters.

Cpt. Mascaro came to the rescue, carrying the dog to safety. Safe inside his vehicle, the dog looked at him with gratitude, captured in an unforgettable photo.

“This dog’s eyes say it all,” Hillsborough County Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook, calling it a “beautiful moment of pure gratitude and love.”

Many people online were moved by this heartwarming rescue and this sweet grateful dog. “Look at that dog’s eyes – he knows he was saved,” one reply reads.

“This is the proof of gratitude for saving the dog’s life! It should be made into a poster and framed,” another person commented.

Many people suggested that Mascaro should adopt the dog, but it’s not clear whether the animal has a home already.

It was just one of the many animal rescues the department has performed since Hurricane Milton: they wrote on Facebook on October 11 that they have rescued 104 pets so far, “ensuring that no one—human or animal—is left behind.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve and protect all members of our community, big and small.”