Life can be hard for a stray dog. They are left to fend for themselves: with no home they have to find their own food and shelter on the streets.

It’s even more heartbreaking when the stray is just a young puppy. One tiny dog was fending for herself, with only an old shoe for comfort. But when one rescuer found the poor pup, he stepped up to give her a new life.

Goran Marinkovic, from Serbia, is a man devoted to helping all the stray animals in his community. He currently feeds over 100 strays, a major labor of love he pays for out of his own pocket.

“I save animals that are endangered, that live on the street. I take care of animals because I love them,” he told Bored Panda. “I feed abandoned animals on the street that are not getting food from humans and have no owners. Their numbers are constantly rising.”

But of all the animals he’s helped out, one puppy he discovered last March really stands out. When he found the tiny puppy, all on her own and fending for herself, she was using an old shoe for shelter.

Facebook/Goran Marinkovic

He found the puppy in a pile of trash after hearing her cries. “Passing a narrow pathway, I heard crying coming from the rocks,” Goran told The Dodo. “She was cold, hungry and thirsty. I had food, so right away I gave her salami.”

Goran saw no mother and no other puppies. He realized the pup was all on her own — and doubted she’d survive much longer in the elements with just an old boot for warmth.

So, he decided to help the dog — help she eagerly accepted.

“She was exhausted,” Goran said. “She knew that I might be her only chance, so she lay down and surrendered to fate.”

Facebook/Goran Marinkovic

According to The Dodo, he named the stray puppy Coco, and once she was safe he realized she had a bright, cheerful personality and was good with people.

Goran then got to work trying to find Coco a forever home. After sharing her story on social media, he fielded adoption requests, and found the perfect home for her in Germany.

He says he keeps in touch with the family, and receives photos of Coco, showing how much the dog has grown and changed since last year. Goran says that Coco is currently traveling with her new family.

Facebook/Goran Marinkovic

It’s a very happy ending for Coco, but Goran is far from finished. He’s going to continue to care for all the strays he can, and hopes that they will be able to find homes just like Coco.

“Every rescued dog from the street who finds a home is a victory for me,” he told The Dodo.

It takes a very kind person to step up and help stray animals. We’re so glad that Coco now has a loving forever home — she’s come a long way since living in a shoe!

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