While driving to a meeting, Ashli Garza, a freelance rescuer from Texas, came across a dog on the side of a busy four-lane highway. The dog had a heavy chain around her neck and would have been at risk of being hit by a passing vehicle if she stepped onto the road. Without hesitation, Ashli stopped her car to help the homeless pup.

When I stumbled upon the stray dog problem in my area, I was unsure of how to handle it. Catching them isn’t easy, as most of them are scared off or treated badly by people. I came up with an idea – to take a picture of the dog before it ran away. Fortunately, we have a Facebook page for lost and found dogs, and I hoped that posting a picture of the dog might help reunite it with its owner.

The canine was completely covered in grime, and the lady noticed the huge, corroded chain around her neck. Ashly expressed her surprise by saying, “It’s unbelievable that the only injury she sustained was some mild skin irritation and peeling. I can’t imagine how she managed to lift her head up, and I’m not overstating it.” Despite having a work appointment and her friend’s wedding gown in her vehicle, which she couldn’t risk getting dirty, Ashli couldn’t bear to leave the dog behind, believing she had been abandoned by her former owner.

As she tells the story, she recalls thinking to herself, “This pup is covered in dirt and grime, and I have my friend’s precious wedding dress in the back. This could turn out to be a complete disaster.” Despite her reservations, Ashli couldn’t resist the urge to save the furry little creature and coaxed it into the backseat of her car. However, removing the heavy chain that was attached to the puppy proved to be a difficult task, and Ashli was unable to do it alone. She kept glancing at the rearview mirror, making sure the pup was safe and sound, as she sought help from her date.