When rescuers first looked into the dark storm drain, they feared the worst. A frail, elderly dog lay motionless in the shadows, his body curled into a tight ball as if bracing against the world.
But then, as the grate was carefully lifted away—he moved. Just a little. Just enough to show he was still holding on. This is Buddy’s story—a 15-year-old senior dog whose resilience touched the hearts of an entire community.
It all began in late May, when local police and firefighters in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, received a call about a dog trapped in a storm drain.
They immediately contacted the Humane Society of Lebanon County (HSLC), who dispatched volunteers to the scene. No one knew how long he’d been down there, but it was clear he was in critical condition.
Buddy was rushed to an emergency vet clinic, where he began the slow journey back to health. To everyone’s relief, his owner was located shortly after the rescue—Buddy had been missing for nearly three weeks.
Despite their efforts to reunite him permanently with his former family, Buddy’s needs were just too great. The shelter decided the best path forward was to focus on his healing and find him a new loving environment where he could truly thrive.
And Buddy is fighting. Day by day, he’s gaining strength. His medical care continues—X-rays, ultrasounds, specialist visits—all fully covered by the shelter.
But what Buddy needs most now isn’t just treatment… it’s love. A calm, nurturing foster home where he can rest his head in peace and dignity.
This gentle soul gets along well with cats and prefers quiet canine companions. He may be older, but he still has love to give—and his eyes shine with the hope of a second chance.