When you adopt an animal from a shelter, you are saving a life. Many animal shelters will euthanize animals when they are running low on space. This heartbreaking decision is often made by people who truly love animals but are unable to care for all of the dogs, cats, and other animals who badly need forever homes.

Sadly, shelter animals are euthanized every single day.

What the shelter from this story didn’t realize is that when they took in this stray dog, he brought in something else with him as well. Franklin County Dog Shelter is located in Columbus.

They took in a 2-year-old Beagle that the staff named Gregory.

At first, it appeared as though there was nothing wrong with the little pup. He seemed energetic when he arrived. Unfortunately, it was later learned that Gregory had heartworm.

Heartworm disease is a deadly condition commonly found in dogs.

Mosquitoes are the most frequent cause of this condition in dogs. When the insect bites the canine, the worm is transferred to the dog. If left untreated, the worm will feed off the dog’s organs. The later the condition is discovered, the poorer the chances for survival. Sadly for Gregory, his condition was caught very late.

Gregory was scheduled to be euthanized until someone saved him.

The shelter figured euthanizing Gregory was all they could do as a result of his condition. Joe Kirk owns an animal rescue organization, Hound Rescue and Sanctuary, and heard about Gregory’s story, however. He thought there was still a chance for Gregory to survive.

Kirk drove out to the shelter and said that he would take Gregory home and care for him there.

Fate had brought Gregory and Joe Kirk together.

As soon as Kirk picked up Gregory, a bond between the two began to form. Kirk let Gregory just sit in the backseat of the car instead of in a crate and whenever Gregory had the opportunity, he would offer up affection to his rescuer.

Kirk was later interviewed by Today and said that it was as if they “had known each other for years.” Kirk made sure to snap plenty of photos of their ride home.

Gregory was clearly quite grateful to have been rescued.

Gregory still has heartworm but he will get the best possible treatment for it. Even if he doesn’t make it, he’ll spend his last days surrounded by kind and caring people.

The photos Kirk snapped of him and Gregory on their ride home from the shelter that day have gone viral. In particular, one photo of Gregory snuggling Kirk’s arm seems to show just how grateful he was to have been rescued.

Kirk’s wife took to Facebook to talk about what the future holds for Gregory.

“Gregory is one thankful and appreciative Beagle! He KNOWS he is SAFE! He is heartworm positive and will be going through treatment, but he knows he is in good hands! We will get him healthy and provide him all the love he so deserves and a wonderful future!! What a great photo of Gregory and my Husband Joe on their way home from the shelter! This is what makes it all worthwhile!” Kirk’s wife, Schenley, wrote on her post.

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Source: Schenley Hutson Kirk