A while ago, there were speculations that Duke had contracted a communicable disease. To prevent any possibility of the disease spreading, people advised others to keep their distance from him. Consequently, Duke, a ten-month-old puppy, was bound to an old and rundown trailer using a chain.
All of a sudden, Duke found himself completely alone. He had to endure a period of 10 days filled with pain and suffering as he took refuge under a rundown trailer located near a town in Bulgaria. This experience was an extreme form of isolation that he had to go through.
Nevertheless, a female inhabitant of the rural area saw only a scene of misery. She got in touch with Rudozem Street Dog Rescue, a Bulgarian-based non-profit that helps animals in need. When Tony Rowles, one of the organization’s co-founders, arrived at the location, he found a dog covered in flies and lying in its own excrement. Understandably, the poor creature was terrified.
Rowles reported that Duke was very scared and stressed because of the intense odor of ammonia. He was frozen in his position and couldn’t move. Nevertheless, even though he was afraid, Duke willingly kissed the first hand that reached out to him.
The area where the pack had sought refuge was packed with animals, so Duke opted to seek accommodation at the Rowles family’s residence with a few other dogs and cats.
The dog had a magnetic personality that was hard to resist. However, for the first few weeks, he had a clear dislike towards men. Although he acted friendly at first glance, his movements and demeanor indicated he was scared and continued to retreat. Rowles noted that the dog had developed a deep connection with his wife, Diane, and absolutely adored her.
Duke’s feet were in a rather dire state and required immediate attention due to them being bent and fractured.
The veterinarian’s assessment of Duke’s condition was quite disturbing. Upon examination, it was revealed that Duke’s injuries were not due to an accident. Rowles was surprised to hear this verdict, as it was discovered that Duke’s feet had been intentionally injured. The extent of the injury was clear- Duke’s feet had multiple broken bones and no ligaments. The bones in his feet were so shattered that they were essentially floating around.
It was evident that Duke was malnourished and had a persistent cough, which was caused by the heavy chain that bound him before. To help alleviate these problems, Duke received a number of surgical procedures and was prescribed splints to aid in his recuperation. It was also important for Duke to have access to the proper nourishment and supportive companions during his journey to wellness.
Rowles mentioned that they had come to a point where they felt it was necessary to find a new home for the dog through adoption. The team has been working in Bulgaria for the past eight years and has accomplished the relocation of more than 1,000 dogs to different countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Duke’s enchanting charisma and energy were able to transcend geographical boundaries and reach England, where he found a new home with a woman named Diana Romaine. The parting between Duke and his former owner was an emotionally charged moment, as Rowles remembers. Nevertheless, the reunion that took place in England was even more stirring. Despite being considered as outcasts before, Duke was able to leave a lasting impression on everyone he met along the way, thanks to his irresistible personality.
All it took was a beautiful display of empathy – a community coming together with open hearts and caring actions.