Living in the wild isn’t easy for any pup, but for one special Pittie named Ruby, it was the only life she knew.
This beautiful girl had spent her entire existence fending for herself in the forest, scrounging for scraps and struggling to survive.
But all that changed when a kind-hearted woman named MaryAnne stumbled upon her one fateful day.
A Chance Encounter in the Woods
MaryAnne was shocked when she first laid eyes on Ruby. The poor pup was so skinny you could see every bone in her body. It was clear she had been on her own for a very long time.
“I was completely heartbroken when I saw the state she was in,” MaryAnne recalled. “She was so fearful, she wouldn’t let me come near her at first.”
Knowing that Ruby wouldn’t make it through another harsh winter on her own, MaryAnne was determined to help this scared sweetheart.
But gaining the trust of a dog who had never known human kindness wasn’t going to be easy.
Baby Steps Towards Friendship
For weeks on end, MaryAnne trekked out to Ruby’s little hideaway in the woods. She brought yummy treats and spoke in soothing tones, trying to show Ruby that humans could be kind.
“I just wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone anymore,” MaryAnne explained.
At first, Ruby would only dash out to grab the food before scurrying back to her safe spot. But slowly, ever so slowly, she began to stick around a little longer each time.
As spring turned to summer, MaryAnne’s patience started to pay off. Ruby ventured further from the treeline, even allowing MaryAnne to sit nearby while she ate.
“It took a few months to get her to come to me day after day,” MaryAnne said with a smile. “But finally, I was able to lure her into our backyard for meals.”
Learning to Be a Dog Again
Once Ruby felt comfortable in the yard, MaryAnne took another big step – putting a collar on her new furry friend.
“I think she was starting to feel like a real dog,” MaryAnne beamed. “She was beginning to finally realize what love was.”
But the real breakthrough came when MaryAnne introduced Ruby to the magical world of fetch. The pup had never seen a ball before, let alone played with one.
“I would go out and toss it up almost every afternoon,” MaryAnne laughed. “Little by little, she caught on and was learning to play!”
Before long, Ruby was bounding around the yard, chasing her favorite toy with pure doggy joy. It was like she was finally getting to experience the puppyhood she never had.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Even as Ruby blossomed, she remained wary of going indoors. MaryAnne knew she couldn’t rush things.
“She still was very fearful of force and enclosures,” MaryAnne explained. “She needed to do this on her own time.”
So MaryAnne waited patiently, letting Ruby set the pace. And one day, the moment finally arrived – Ruby took her first tentative steps into the house.
“My heart just exploded,” MaryAnne gushed. “She still let me in after all the others in her life did her so wrong.”
A New Leash on Life
Today, Ruby is thriving in her forever home with MaryAnne. The scared, skinny pup from the woods has blossomed into a happy, healthy girl who loves nothing more than a good game of fetch.
For MaryAnne, helping Ruby heal has been its own reward. “It gave me a purpose,” she said softly. “Seeing her learn to trust and love again – there’s nothing quite like it.”
Ruby’s journey from fearful forest dweller to beloved family pet shows the power of patience and kindness.
With a little time and a whole lot of love, even the most damaged hearts can learn to open up again.
Want to see Ruby’s heartwarming transformation for yourself? Check out the video below!
