There is just something so very depressing about seeing an old dog struggling to survive. You know they’ve gone through so much already, yet they have to deal with even more, despite being much weaker and less able to do anything.

The cold fact of life is that many old dogs have to deal with the same issues and it’s just sad that more can’t be done to help them.

In this story, we will talk about a neglected dog who was rescued by the police and given a new chance.

Lonely And Defeated

Source: Facebook.com

It was an ordinary day when an old dog, named Holden, was first sent to a local animal shelter in Georgia. 

When he was taken in, it was obvious to the shelter staff that he had been severely malnourished, so they offered him some food.

Without any hesitation, he started digging in, showing just how much he was neglected by the previous owners. 

Even when he is not eating, any time he sees a bowl of food, he tries to take it for himself, and it’s just heartbreaking when you realize how mistreated he was.

Despite this, however, he was still hopeful and desperately wanted a second chance at life.

Holden’s Story

Source: Facebook.com

Holden was first seized by the police during a house drug bust where he was staying. When the officers realized he was there, they took him to the shelter.

There was one problem, however. The organization was already struggling with the increasing number of dogs, and Holden’s future was uncertain.

Now, to add even more to the misery, during his checkup at the veterinarian clinic, they found something growing in his body.

Source: Facebook.com

The X-rays confirmed it was indeed a tumor, which basically made it difficult for him to eat or just do anything.

When he went back to the shelter, the people working there figured it was best for him to be moved to a less crowded one, so he was taken to Releash Atlanta, in Georgia.

A volunteer named Ashley picked up Holden with her car and took him to his new shelter.

Now, it was time for the big step. The veterinarians prepared Holden for surgery to remove the tumor from his body.

After it was done, the staff could tell that the dog felt relieved to be out of the woods. He even wagged his little tail as a sign of thank you to the kind people who were helping him the whole time.

A New Future For Holden

Source: Facebook.com

Shortly after his surgery, a woman named Melissa Lintz took Holden in foster care and he was just so happy to be there.

He loved meeting Lintz’s daughter and the other nine dogs that were also fostered there.

His appetite for food certainly hasn’t changed, and the family is feeding him a lot to get his weight back up.

Lentz wrote in a statement on facebook: There was only one thing left to confirm and that was if his tumor was cancerous or not. He may be old and he may or may not have cancer (biopsy not back yet), but someone is going to be VERY lucky to have this dog.

Some time had passed and the news finally came. Holden’s tumor is now very likely a benign one and he might finally be safe.

Even though he still has a few health problems he needs to address, Holden is basically ready for adoption.

Source: Facebook.com

It didn’t take long because a woman named Carol showed interest in taking him to his forever home.

In a statement on Facebook, Releash Atlanta said: Holden found the best new mommy he could have ever asked for!!! He now has a new fur brother named Elway and a couple feline siblings, as well. 

Holden sure has come a long way since being seized by the police in a drug raid and ending up at animal control with a seven pound tumor in his abdomen!!

I am so glad to see that after everything he has been through, Holden’s story has a happy ending. I wish him and his family all the best.