A family who rescued multiple dogs has been praised for transforming the life of one German shepherd who they say had effectively been used as "bear bait" by a breeder.
Amanda Pidruchney, 28, and her husband Darren live in Alberta, Canada, and last year became parents overnight to no less than five dogs when someone they had believed to be a responsible breeder reached out for help after an "unexpected tragedy" forced her to shut down her program.
Wanting to help, they agreed to take five dogs, thinking they may be able to enter them into Schutzhund competitions: a sport that tests a dog's tracking, obedience and protection skills, popular among German shepherds.
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"Our plans were severely derailed when we arrived at her property only to find dogs that were in horrific condition," Pidruchney told Newsweek, saying it was "obvious that they were being neglected."
She said the four dogs they were introduced to were dirty, underweight, and had clearly been living outside, and one could "barely stand up on his hind end".
But "just when we thought we had seen it all," the breeder pointed to another dog, Dorel, and said he was also available.
"Dorel was chained up to one side of the house all by himself," she said, in an area known for bears, during bear season, and with no shelter.
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"He didn't have any water and there was no food in sight. His light brown paws were caked with dirt and his coat was coarse and weathered. He sat there hunched over, absolutely petrified, just staring at me."
There were signs of trauma, and he was on the "brink of emaciation," but despite how "timid and frightened" he was, they knew they had to take him, and with a little effort, got him and his siblings home.
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While all the dogs were in bad condition, Dorel was by far the worst, and their local vet struggled to pinpoint the cause of his condition as he had so many different symptoms. He continued to deteriorate until he was in a "life-threatening" condition.
But, as Pidruchney says, "I just couldn't accept this being the end of his story".
Incredibly, Dorel made it through the night, and after five days in ICU receiving "aggressive treatment," he turned a corner. And since then, "he has lived the life that he always should have".
Dorel's story has now gone viral as Pidruchney shared a video to her TikTok account @mandy_and_mason on June 13, which has close to 2 million views.
She begins the clip by addressing Dorel's former owner, writing: "What you missed since leaving me chained up as bear bait."
It then shows Dorel living his best life with Pidruchney and Darren: getting "endless snuggles," being well-fed, going on adventures to Christmas light shows and playing in the large backyard, getting toys and going on walks.
Pidruchney explained she wanted to address the video to his previous owner after seeing a trend of similar videos, which she believed was "made for him".
"The trend really highlights transformations and I wanted to not only raise awareness to Dorel, and the cases that are similar to his, but to also inspire others who are either going through a tough time themselves or with their animals. Even when hope seems to be lost, it isn't always as it seems."
TikTok users were horrified by Dorel's start to life but in awe of his transformation, with one of thousands of commenters writing: "Wow heartbreaking so glad he's got a lovely home, what he deserves."
"How can people be so cruel he is a beautiful dog thank you for being there for him and looking after him," another said, adding: "You are an angel."
And as one put it: "I can't believe someone did such a horrible thing. God bless you. he deserves the best."
Project manager Pidruchney said she "couldn't believe the response the video received," calling it "overwhelming".
"The outpouring of love and encouragement has been beyond my wildest dreams and I am so grateful," she said.
But while Dorel and the other dogs Pidruchney rescued got a second chance, she later learned that the breeder "did not stop breeding, nor did they find homes for the remaining dogs". The local SPCA and animal control has since seized a total of 43 German Shepherds from the same place Dorel came from, and an investigation has been opened.
Pidruchney, who shares a GoFundMe on her TikTok page to help the SPCA care for the 43 dogs before they are well enough to go to new homes, said: "I hope more than anything that every single one of them will go on to live a happy, healthy and full life, just like my little Dorel has."
GSDs like Dorel are known for their intelligence, loyalty and affection towards their families, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The courageous breed has the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of their loved ones.
"It has been incredible to watch him blossom into the dog that he is today," Pidruchney told Newsweek.
"It is equal parts rewarding as it is heartbreaking that he had to have the upbringing that he did in order to undergo such a transformation."
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