I don’t think I’ll ever be able to understand how or why a person can let a dog out to die, no matter how many times I read the tales or how many cases I see on the internet.

When you own a dog, you are fortunate to form a lifelong link with a creature that only wants to be in your presence, to make you happy, and to keep you safe.

However, there will always be people who, for one reason or another, feel morally justified in abandoning dogs. Chunkie is one such sad canine who was chained and abandoned outside in the weather.

Fortunately for her, she was discovered by firefighter Mike Thawley from Sacramento, California’s Fire Station 14. When she was weak and ill, tied to a post in the rain, and left to perish, Mike came upon her.

Mike cleaned her up and brought her to the Front Street Animal Shelter so that a doctor could examine her because he couldn’t just leave her there.

It turned out that Chunkie had mange, and her skin was in very bad shape. However, the staff at the shelter immediately got to work, treating her ailments and dressing her in warm clothing to shield her skin.

Everyone could see that Chunkie was happy to have been saved, but she missed her rescuer Mike after he left because they had grown close.

But the following day, firefighter Mike returned to the shelter, and fortunately, a touching reunion was captured on camera. Below is a link to watch it:

Additionally, not long after, Mike was able to adopt Chuckie into his own family. To their new lives together, let’s toast!