She Was Left Behind and Forgotten, but This Puppy Didn’t Give Up

When rescuers finally reached the tiny puppy, later named Pobi, she was completely alone.

All of her siblings were already gone. She had been left behind in filthy living conditions, locked away and forgotten, her small body fighting illnesses no puppy should ever have to face. This was not a story of luck. It was a story of survival that almost did not happen.

The rescue team from Korean K9 Rescue had been trying to reach her for days. Negotiations with the owner stretched on, each conversation tense and uncertain. Time mattered, and everyone involved understood what delay could cost.

When the owner finally agreed to let her go, the moment felt fragile. According to the rescue’s documentation, one more delay could have changed everything.

That decision likely saved her life.

A Body Already Breaking Down

Pobi was less than two months old.

By the time she reached veterinary care, her condition told the story of neglect clearly. She tested positive for mange, severe skin infection, and a high fever. Her itching had become relentless, leaving her skin damaged and inflamed beneath her matted fur.

Veterinarians had no choice but to bathe her and shave her coat. What they found underneath explained why she had been so uncomfortable for so long.

Young puppies decline fast when illness takes hold. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, “Incompletely developed immune systems during the first 10 days of life make neonates vulnerable to systemic infection (most commonly bacterial and viral).” 

While Pobi was older than that window, the same vulnerability still applies to puppies this young, especially when they have been deprived of proper care.

Treatment began immediately. She was fed carefully, medicated, and given a safe place to rest. Recovery, though, would not be simple.

What Severe Skin Disease Does to Puppies

Mange is not just a cosmetic issue. It can overwhelm a young puppy whose body is already under strain.

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, “Physical examination findings include alopecia (which may involve several large to coalescing areas of affected skin), erythema, and often secondary superficial or deep pyoderma.” 

That combination of hair loss, inflamed skin, and infection explained why Pobi had been scratching constantly and why her skin needed intensive care.

Medical baths became part of her routine, twice each week. Slowly, her skin began to heal. The redness eased. The itching became more manageable. Each small improvement mattered.

Small Wins, One Day at a Time

Most days at first were quiet.

Pobi slept often. Her body was using every bit of energy to heal. Fever came and went. Nasal discharge and coughing lingered longer than anyone wanted. Diarrhea added another layer of concern.

Digestive illness in puppies is not minor. According to PetMD, “Diarrhea itself can lead to dehydration, but along with vomiting, it can quickly lead to potentially fatal dehydration.” That risk is why her caregivers monitored her so closely and adjusted care as needed.

Then the small wins started to appear.

Her runny nose slowed. Her coughing became less frequent. She began to show interest in what was happening around her. Older dogs in the rescue home noticed her right away, moving gently around her as if they understood she needed protection.

One milestone stood out. Pobi reached 1.65 kilograms.

It was a small number, but it meant her body was finally responding.

When the Truth Came Out

As Pobi continued to heal, the rescue reported the situation to authorities. Questions followed. Where was the mother dog. Where had the puppies come from.

At first, the owner claimed he had found them and tried to help. Neighbors told a different story. They had seen an adult dog at the property before.

Eventually, the truth surfaced. There had been a mother dog. After giving birth, she was neglected. One by one, the puppies disappeared.

Pobi was the only one left behind.

She had been rescued just in time.

From Weakness to Willpower

Recovery changed Pobi in visible ways.

Her hair began to grow back. Her skin looked healthier. Her confidence grew quickly. She became playful, curious, and deeply interested in simple games, especially chasing fingers, something she could do for hours.

Her diet was upgraded to specially prepared food designed to support her skin and growth. She thrived on it. Her coat thickened. Her body grew stronger.

While authorities continued their investigation, the rescue team stayed focused on one thing.

Pobi’s future.

Where Pobi Is Today

Today, Pobi is no longer the sick, forgotten puppy left behind after tragedy.

She is healthy. She is confident. She is part of a family that understands what she has survived. Her personality shines through in everything she does, from playful curiosity to quiet moments of trust.

What makes Pobi special is not only that she survived.

It is how she refused to give up.

Why Pobi’s Story Matters

Pobi survived because someone stepped in when it mattered most. Many puppies never get that chance.

Neglect does not always look dramatic at first. Sometimes it looks like silence, delay, and indifference. By the time help arrives, the outcome can already be decided.

If Pobi’s story moved you, please consider sharing it. Awareness can change outcomes.

And sometimes, it saves the only one left. 🐾

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