Piper, a Cane Corso cross, was found earlier this year on the streets of Englewood, USA. She was weak and vomiting rubbish. She was taken to the Bergen County Animal Shelter, where the full extent of her suffering was soon revealed. Vets discovered staples in her stomach, suspicious masses, and large calluses on her body – all signs that she had likely spent years sleeping on concrete and surviving on scraps.
A gentle soul waiting for a home
Despite her difficult past, the shelter team was deeply moved by her remarkably gentle nature. Her carers described her as "relaxed, tolerant, easy-going, and sociable," and noted that she enjoyed her food so much she even "loved to share it." But for months, no one showed any interest in her, until the day Piper's story touched the heart of Ingrid Santucci.
A life-changing meeting
Ingrid Santucci, head of the emergency department at a local hospital, had recently lost her Great Dane and didn't feel ready to adopt again. During a visit to the shelter, she had even met another dog but couldn't bring herself to take the next step. Yet, after hearing about Piper, she couldn't get her out of her mind. She returned to the shelter especially to meet her, and the connection was instant.
As Thanksgiving approached, Piper left the shelter to join her new family, waved off by the team who had cared for her for months. Now, she no longer sleeps on cold concrete. Instead, she has proper meals, a soft bed, and, most importantly, plenty of love – a first in her life after so many years as a stray.
