When Shannice Johnson took a walk through Celebration Park in Federal Way, Washington, one quiet Thursday morning in early May, she never expected to stumble upon something so heartbreaking.
Lying beside the trail, barely moving, was a severely emaciated dog — so thin, so wounded, that at first glance, it looked like he might not survive another hour.
“He was just laying there,” Shannice said. “He could barely lift his head. His body was skin and bones. I knew right away — this dog needed help.”
That dog, now named Ari, is a 3-year-old pit bull whose condition shocked even the most experienced animal care professionals. Ari was rushed to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, where staff were left speechless.
“Our jaws dropped,” said a shelter spokesperson. “We’ve seen many neglected dogs over the years, but nothing like this.”
Ari weighed only 30 pounds — half the weight he should be for a healthy dog his age and breed. He had deep, open wounds on his legs and paws. One of his paw pads was literally hanging off his foot. Cold, shaking, and so weak he had to lean on the vet staff for support, Ari was clearly exhausted from weeks, if not months, of unthinkable neglect.
“This is one of the worst cases I’ve ever seen,” said Jennifer Bennett, Chief Veterinary Officer at the shelter. “This kind of condition doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of prolonged suffering.”
When Ari arrived, he was so hungry he tried to eat the wipes being used to clean his wounds.
The shelter team immediately began emergency care—cleaning and wrapping his injuries, placing him on a strict refeeding program to prevent refeeding syndrome (a dangerous condition that can occur when severely malnourished animals eat too quickly), and giving him the warmth and kindness he likely hadn’t known in a long time.
He needed months of treatment to rebuild his strength and gain back the weight he lost. Despite everything, Ari continued to amaze everyone with his gentle spirit —leaning into human touch, accepting help, and holding on with every ounce of strength he has left.
Now, the shelter is asking animal lovers across the country to help Ari and others like him get a second chance.
“Every single day, we care for animals like Ari,” the shelter said. “But we can’t do it alone.”
As for Ari, his story had a happy ending — he was finally adopted by a loving family who gave him a caring home. What a transformation! He looks like a million bucks!
If Ari’s story touched your heart, consider donating to your local shelter or to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. Because no dog deserves to be left behind — and every dog deserves to feel safe, warm, and loved.
Ari didn’t give up—and neither will we. 🐾💔💖
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