On our most recent mission to Mexico, we found Willie, a frail and malnourished German Shepherd, lying helpless by the side of the road. His ribs protruded from his thin coat, and his eyes were dull with exhaustion. He could barely stand, his legs trembling under his own weight.

Seeing his condition broke our hearts. 

We immediately offered him comfort with a whole bag of dog treats and five hot dogs cut into bite-sized pieces.

As he slowly nibbled at the food, his eyes brightened just a little. We treated his wounds as best we could, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough space to take him back to the USA that day.

Lauren, the pack leader at The Animal Pad, couldn’t stop thinking about him. Determined to give Willie a second chance, she returned the very next day. When she found him again, Willie’s tail gave a weak wag as if he somehow knew help had arrived. Lauren scooped him up and brought him back across the border to San Diego, where he now roams her backyard with eight other happy rescue dogs.


​Willie’s days are now spent in the sun, lounging with his new pack, no longer hungry, no longer weak—just loved.
​Tap here to watch Willie's story on Instagram or watch below.