I wish no puppy knew how it feels to be snatched from your loving mom and dumped in the middle of nowhere.
Sadly, there are many people who abandon their defenseless pups without feeling any compassion for them.
Cactus was just a little baby when he was left in the Mojave Desert in California together with his siblings.
The fur babies missed their mama and they huddled together trying to find comfort in each other. Shivering with cold and hunger, the fragile puppies got sick.
When Pups Without Borders, a rescue that specializes in rescuing pregnant dogs and nursing litters, brought them to safety, the pups started fighting for their lives.
Fighting For Survival
Cactus and his siblings were immediately hospitalized and given urgent medical care.
Despite the vets’ efforts, unfortunately, some of the puppies didn’t make it and they crossed the rainbow bridge.
The vet staff was amazed by Cactus’ will to live. The brave boi kept fighting until he defeated his illness.
After he fully recovered, the resilient fur baby was discharged from the hospital and he moved to the rescue.
Cactus charmed the staff with his loving disposition. The pooch was a sweet boi who loved to snuggle. He was pure love.
Months later, a wonderful human named Mike Brown partnered with Pups Without Borders and came to the rescue to do a marketing event.
Brown never thought about getting a dog, but when he met Cactus, they instantly connected.
The puppy snuggled with him and melted his heart.
After the rescue staff suggested that Brown foster Cactus for two weeks, he agreed.
A week later, he came to pick the fur ball up. Cactus was happy to see him again. He jumped with joy and licked his hands.
As soon as Brown stroked him, the pup rolled over on his back, asking for belly rubs. He looked at Brown with love-filled eyes.
The good human took Cactus home, determined to give him the best time of his life.
The Perfect Foster Home
Once they arrived at Brown’s home, the little pup didn’t want to leave the car. He was too scared.
After Brown carried him inside, Cactus hid under the bed. He needed some time to get used to his new surroundings.
The pup’s foster dad showered Cactus with encouraging words, and he used treats to lure him out of his hiding place.
A couple of hours later, the fur baby realized that he could trust his foster dad.
“… He just like ran up to me and put his paws on my leg and I picked him up and put him on my lap,” Brown told The Dodo.
The fur ball planted many kisses on his foster dad’s face. He felt safe and comfortable with him.
On his first night in his foster home, Cactus fell asleep in his foster dad’s bed. When Brown saw the pup blissfully sleeping next to him, he knew that they had bonded.
The puppy started following his foster dad everywhere he went and the two became inseparable.
Brown took Cactus to the beach and to a dog park so that he could socialize with other dogs.
He also helped the fur ball in overcoming his fears of trucks.
The Love His Heart Wished For
The more time Brown and Cactus spent together, the stronger their connection became.
The puppy enjoyed living with his foster dad. For the very first time in his life, Cactus felt immensely loved.
Two weeks after the puppy moved into his foster home, someone applied for his adoption.
At that point, Brown realized that he loved Cactus and that he couldn’t give him up. He knew that the pup belonged with him.
Brown adores Cactus and he feels that his bond with him is much deeper than he could ever have imagined.
“I envisioned myself having a bond like that, I guess it is different than I envisioned because it does become a bit deeper than just having a close relationship where it’s almost like you feel like they’re your family or someone that you know, like your own child,” Brown added.
He adopted Cactus, promising him a life filled with love and adventures.
The pup lives his dream life in Santa Monica, California. He sometimes shares glimpses of his happiness on his Instagram account.
