Stray dog is just skin and bones when he is found lying in the street by an angel – who gives him his life back

He was too weak to stand, and no one on the street had helped him. Then an animal rescuer named Pia noticed him.

A Dog No One Could Catch

Just before Christmas, Pia, an animal rescuer, was visiting friends in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when they told her about a stray dog circling their neighborhood in distress. He was so thin that he looked more like a skeleton than a dog, with painful sores on his body and no spark in his eyes.

Her friends hadn’t been able to get close to him, but Pia wouldn’t give up. She finally caught him and rushed him to a veterinarian. “I cried because I could not believe that no one had helped him,” she told The Dodo.

Can He Make It Through the Weekend?

The vet wasn’t sure the dog would survive the night. If he made it through the Christmas weekend, the vet told her, he would have a chance, but he would need round-the-clock care. Pia dropped everything.

The next two days were grim. He refused to eat and lost even more weight, and Pia stayed with him, refilling his water bowl and urging him to keep fighting.

The Turning Point

The day after Christmas, Pia noticed a change in his eyes. He had started to eat, and over the next few days he showed a determination to get better. Pia named him Hercules, after the mythical hero known for his strength. “You could see in his eyes that he wanted to live,” she recalled.

His muscles had wasted away, so he couldn’t walk. Pia lifted his body for support and filmed his progress. In January, he took his first short, wobbly steps on his own. “Honestly, yes, I cried,” she told The Dodo. “I cried like a baby.”

From Stray to Family

By February, Hercules looked like a different dog. His fur grew back, his energy returned and he loved being held close. Pia had planned to put him up for adoption once he was healthy, but she changed her mind. After weeks of caring for him, she couldn’t imagine giving him up. Hercules had found his forever home.

On Instagram, Pia posts updates under hashtags such as “no al abandono” (no to abandonment) and “adopta no compres” (adopt, don’t buy).

How to Help a Stray Dog in Need

You don’t have to be an experienced rescuer to make a difference:

• Approach calmly. Move slowly, and don’t corner a frightened dog.
• Contact local rescuers. Animal control, shelters and rescue groups can help with safe capture and care.
• Get a vet check. Starving dogs may need IV fluids, medication and a careful feeding plan, so food alone isn’t always safe.
• Check for a microchip. A vet can scan for an owner’s information.
• Consider fostering. Even short-term foster homes save lives.

Caring for a Rescue Dog

Giving a dog a second chance may come with unexpected costs:

• Pet insurance. Compare pet insurance plans, dog health insurance and emergency vet coverage.
• Vet care. Look up veterinary clinics near me, dog skin treatment and low-cost vaccinations.
• Nutrition. Browse veterinarian-recommended dog food, recovery diets and dog supplements.
• Supplies. Consider orthopedic dog beds, dog harnesses and dog training courses.
• Give back. Explore animal rescue donations, dog adoption near me and foster programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Hercules? Hercules is a stray dog in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who was found starving and covered in sores and rescued by animal rescuer Pia.

Why was he named Hercules? Pia named him after the mythical hero because of how hard he fought to survive.

How long did it take him to recover? He began to show signs of recovery the day after Christmas, took his first steps in January and had visibly regrown fur by February.

Did Pia adopt him? Yes. She planned to find him a home but decided to keep him herself.

What should I do if I find a starving stray? Stay calm, contact local animal rescuers or a vet, and avoid feeding a severely emaciated dog large amounts of food without veterinary guidance.

Sources: Western Journal, iHeartDogs, and Animal Scene, all covering the rescue of Hercules, a starving stray dog in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by animal rescuer Pia, including her interview with The Dodo.