Dice was cruelly confined to a cramped cage, callously discarded in a desolate yard, left to endure a harrowing fate. Abandoned and forsaken, his chances of survival were slim at best. Yet, amid the darkness that engulfed his world, a glimmer of hope emerged when a compassionate soul caught sight of the 3-year-old pit bull mix. With a heart heavy with empathy, they rescued him from his torment and breathed new life into his shattered existence. The overwhelming relief and gratitude that flooded Dice's spirit were immeasurable, as he realized that his salvation had come at the hands of someone who saw his worth and refused to let him perish.
In early November, while police officers were serving eviction papers in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area, a group of young children caught their attention. The children pointed out Dice, a helpless dog confined to a cage outside an abandoned apartment.
"The previous tenants had moved out and callously abandoned him in the backyard, with no access to food or water," shared Tracey Godin, co-founder of Feeling Fine Rescue, based in Loxahatchee, Florida, during an interview with The Dodo. "When the officers inquired about how long Dice had been there, the kids sadly replied that he had been left alone for a week or possibly longer."
The sight of Dice, sitting there in a cage, left the police officers with a mix of compassion and distress. He became a symbol of abandonment and cruelty. The realization that this small, innocent dog had endured days without sustenance or care weighed heavily on their hearts. Fortunately, the observant children recognized the dire situation and promptly alerted the authorities, hoping to bring Dice the help he so desperately needed.
But Dice has most likely been ignored for much longer.
“He hadn’t been nourished properly for months,” Godin explained. “The last week was really the ultimate degradation.”
The police officers immediately reached out to animal control, who swiftly arranged for Dice to be transported to a nearby shelter. Coincidentally, Godin's close friend, who happened to be a volunteer at the shelter, was present when Dice arrived. Deeply moved by the heartbreaking sight, they couldn't help but capture photographs of Dice's condition. When Godin received these images from her friend, she was overcome with a mix of astonishment and heartbreak.
"It was a moment that stole your breath away," Godin expressed, her voice filled with emotion. "I had no idea how he managed to survive under such circumstances. My eyes filled with tears as I saw the extent of his suffering."
The photographs painted a vivid and distressing picture of Dice's physical and emotional state, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate intervention and care. They served as a stark reminder of the resilience and strength that can be found even in the most dire situations.
The next day, Godin and her daughter Micaela rescued Dice from the shelter and hurried him to the vet.
“He couldn’t walk more than 5 or 6 feet without collapsing,” Godin explained. “We were at the vet’s parking lot, and when he took one step to ɡet up on the sidewalk, he couldn’t support his body weight and feɩɩ.” “I didn’t believe he’d make it.”
Weighing only 30 pounds instead of the healthy weight of 65 pounds, Dice's emaciated condition was a glaring testament to the severe neglect he had endured. Tracey Godin explained the extent of his physical deterioration, stating, "He was very dehydrated and anemic." His body lacked any muscular mass, and his skin clung tightly to his skeletal frame. His sunken eyes further highlighted the toll his suffering had taken on him. In Godin's opinion, another day in that cage could have proved fatal for Dice.
Once Dice's health improved enough to leave the veterinary clinic, he found a new home at Feeling Fine Rescue, managed by Godin and her daughter from their own house. Witnessing his remarkable recovery, both of them were deeply impressed by Dice's resilience and determination to bounce back from the brink of despair.
"He experienced a tremendous growth spurt, gaining 10 pounds in just one week," Godin excitedly shared. "In fact, within a week's time, he managed to put on an astounding 40 pounds. Two weeks later, he weighed 50 pounds, and by the following weekend, he reached a healthy weight of 65 pounds. Every day, it was evident that Dice was transforming before our eyes."
The ability of a dog like Dice to overcome such adversity and readily open his heart to love and trust new people left Micaela Godin from The Dodo in awe. She expressed, "It's absolutely astonishing to witness how a dog can endure so much at the hands of humans and yet be so immediately receptive to love and trust. From the day we first met him, Dice has exuded nothing but love and affection. He has an incredible personality."
Dice's resilience and capacity for forgiveness serve as a powerful reminder of the unwavering spirit and capacity for love that can thrive even in the face of immense cruelty and neglect.
Dice's fortunate journey continued as he captured the attention of a family in late December who were in search of a third dog to join their household. Tracey Godin shared the heartwarming details, saying, "The family instantly fell in love with Dice the moment they laid eyes on him. They were so smitten that they made multiple visits to spend time with him." Excited about the prospect of adding Dice to their family, they expressed their desire to have a meet-and-greet between Dice and their two current dogs on their property.
Recognizing the importance of a smooth introduction and ensuring compatibility among the furry family members, the family took the responsible step of requesting a meet-and-greet session. This demonstrated their commitment to creating a harmonious environment for all their beloved pets. It was a promising development that filled everyone involved with hope and anticipation for Dice's future in a loving forever home.
Dice not only got along well with the family's other dogs but also formed a strong bond with their young children during the meet-and-greet. Just two weeks later, the family decided to make Dice a permanent part of their lives. It was a heartwarming outcome, showcasing the power of love and second chances in Dice's journey to finding a forever home.
“They contacted me last night and said, ‘We’re more in love with him than the first time we met, and we’d want to never bring him back,’” Tracey Godin explained. “I was sobbing because this family is simply fantastic… and Dice couldn’t have gone to a nicer home.”
Dice, on the other hand, appears to be aware of how fortunate he is right now.
“The family is telling me how fast he acclimated, like if he’s been there forever,” Tracey Godin said. “One of the kids саme home from school yesterday and said, ‘I’m pleased you’re here, Dice, you’re not going back to the гeѕсᴜe.’” I really missed you when I was in school.’”
“We save a lot of dogs, and they all have tales, and they all come from such һoггіЬɩe backgrounds,” Micaela Godin explained. “However, Dice is resilient in how quickly and elegantly he bounced back.” He’s incredibly fortunate and ѕtгoпɡ to have made it through this and come oᴜt on the other side so fast and effectively. “It was definitely a mігасɩe,” I say.
