Yvette Holzback has seen some sad things during her five years volunteering at the Forgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward Project in Houston, Texas. But there's one incident that really sticks out in Yvette's mind, and it always brings a tear to her eye.
The saddest picture ever
Yvette was part of a group of volunteers feeding and caring for the city's stray dogs when she spotted a sad and emaciated Pittie lying in the street. The poor pooch was sad and lonely, clutching a teddy bear for comfort.
The teddy bear was the only love in the dog's life. The dog hugged the stuffed toy like it was the most important thing in the world, and to him, it really was. We're welling up with tears already.
Yvette took a photo of this sad sight and shared it on the Forgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward website to raise awareness of stray and street dogs.
"I couldn't believe the reaction," said Yvette. "Everyone was moved by the shot. They wanted to know what happened to the dog and what they could do to help him."
And so Yvette and the other amazing people from the rescue centre decided to find out.
They asked around the neighbourhood, but nobody knew the dog or where it had come from. And then they met 89-year-old Calvin.
The hero every stray dog needs
Calvin regularly saw the dog wandering the streets around his house. He had spent the last few weeks feeding it and trying to earn its trust, as he does with all the stray dogs he sees.
Calvin's neighbours told Yvette they often see him returning from the supermarket carrying bags full of food for strays and street dogs. Calvin, you're a hero and a true angel.
Unfortunately, Calvin hadn't seen the dog for a while, so we don't know how this story ends. But wherever this poor pooch went, let's hope she found someone as loving and caring as Calvin. What a truly remarkable human being.
