She Wasn’t Expecting to Find a Life Hiding Near That Dumpster

4 hours ago 2

In the small, quiet town of Yazoo City, Mississippi, a heartbreaking call for help reached Lisa Reams, a devoted animal advocate and founder of Saving Grace Animal Rescue. The caller reported a tragic sight—a helpless, abandoned puppy left to survive near a dumpster, completely alone and without food or water. Lisa, who had dedicated her life to rescuing animals in need, knew time was critical. She immediately dropped everything, jumped into her vehicle, and rushed to the location, her heart heavy with worry and determination to save a life.

Without hesitation, Lisa jumped into her vehicle and drove straight to the reported location. She had spent years rescuing animals in desperate need, but each call still tugged at her heartstrings as if it were the first. This one felt especially urgent.

When she arrived at the site, Lisa scanned the area around the dumpster. Her eyes searched every corner, but there was no sign of the puppy. She called out softly, hoping to coax the frightened animal from wherever he might be hiding. Still, there was nothing. Most would have turned around and left. But Lisa could not. Her instincts told her the little one was close by and in trouble.

She returned to the same location about an hour later. The sun had shifted slightly in the sky, casting longer shadows across the lot. Then she saw it. Just barely visible beside the rusted dumpster was a small ball of fur. The puppy was cowering, trying to make himself invisible. He looked frightened, dirty, and defeated.

Lisa’s heart ached as she approached him slowly, speaking gently in a soft, reassuring voice. But the puppy, later named Oscar, did not understand she was there to help. Overwhelmed by fear, Oscar tried to crawl under the dumpster to escape. His tiny body shook with anxiety as he whimpered and let out a weak growl, doing everything he could to avoid capture.

Despite his resistance, Lisa managed to carefully lift him into her arms. He continued to cry and tremble, but she held him close. It was clear he had been alone for some time. He was weak from hunger, covered in dirt, and suffering from a visible worm infestation. His ribs were faintly outlined beneath his skin, and his eyes reflected both fear and exhaustion.

Cradling him gently, Lisa knew she had to make sure no other animals were in danger. She conducted a thorough sweep of the area. She used a flashlight to look beneath every dumpster and inside each one. “I did a thorough search of the area, looked inside the dumpsters, underneath the dumpsters with a flashlight, he was the only one here,” she later shared in a heartfelt TikTok video

Once she confirmed that Oscar was alone, Lisa scanned him for a microchip. Unfortunately, he had none. That meant there was no known owner, and no way to trace his past. He was entirely on his own.

Lisa’s rescue, Saving Grace Animal Rescue, was already operating at full capacity. She reached out to Angie Young, the founder of Southern Mutts, another rescue organization based in Greenwood, Mississippi. Without hesitation, Angie agreed to help. She promised to take Oscar into her care and ensure he would be placed with a loving family once he was healthy and ready for adoption.

Until that moment arrived, Lisa offered to foster Oscar herself. She brought him home, where he would be safe and warm for the first time in what was likely his short and difficult life. She prepared a cozy bed for him, fed him a nutritious meal, and gave him a soothing bath to wash away the grime and fear clinging to his tiny frame.

The next day, Lisa took Oscar to the veterinarian for a full examination. The vet estimated Oscar to be just around six weeks old. He was diagnosed with both hookworm and ringworm, common ailments for puppies left in unsanitary conditions. The vet prescribed a deworming treatment to help him start healing. With medicine in his system and love in his foster home, Oscar’s recovery began.

Lisa returned once more to the site where she had found Oscar, hoping to find his mother or any littermates. She walked the area slowly, calling softly, and checking every possible hiding spot. But it was heartbreakingly clear. Oscar had been left completely alone.

Back at home, Lisa focused on helping Oscar adjust. At first, the little puppy was timid. He flinched when she reached for him and seemed unsure of human touch. But Lisa was patient. She spoke to him gently, offered him treats, and spent hours just sitting nearby so he could learn to trust again.

Over the next several days, Oscar began to change. The once-shy puppy started wagging his tail and nuzzling into Lisa’s hand. He discovered the comfort of belly rubs and the joy of squeaky toys. Lisa filled a basket with stuffed animals and chew toys just for him. He eagerly explored each one, learning how to play like a normal puppy should.

The transformation was beautiful to witness. Oscar went from a scared, abandoned puppy hiding in the shadows of a dumpster to a joyful, affectionate companion who adored cuddles and playtime. His eyes began to sparkle with curiosity instead of fear. His confidence grew with each passing day.

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Oscar will continue to stay with his foster mom Lisa until he is completely healthy. Once he is cleared by the vet and ready for adoption, Southern Mutts will begin the search for his forever home. A family is out there waiting to welcome him with open arms and hearts full of love.

And without a doubt, Oscar will be the perfect addition to any home. He is proof that with love, patience, and a second chance, even the most broken hearts can heal and blossom.