For those of us who are animals lovers, a pup in need would immediately spur us into action. But not everyone feels comfortable around dogs, for example – no matter how small.

That’s why it’s a good thing we have people like Sabrina Wilkerson around.

Back in October 2018, a stray chihuahua bolted into a liquor store during a rainstorm. But he was so terrified he wouldn’t leave – nor was he eager to let anyone near him.

Unfortunately, the owner of the store wasn’t much of a dog person – but he was caring enough to call the Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County.

The dog had been in the store for over two hours and he had no idea what to do.

“The guy seemed like he really didn’t know much about dogs,” Wilkerson told The Dodo. “I said, ‘Is he friendly? Will you go near him?’ And he said, ‘No, I’m not going near the dog.’”

While there was no hope of an approach, the man did agree to snap a few photos and send them along to Wilkerson. He also scrounged up a little towel to drape over the dog to try to help him dry off and stay warm.

Wilkerson immediately got in her car and headed to the store. She saw the dog cowering in the same place the photos showed and he was still unwilling to accept help.

“He showed us his teeth — he was just stressed out,” Wilkerson said.

But she spent some time trying to prove to the pup that she wasn’t a threat and earn his trust. She got just enough of it to lure him into a crate so she could take him to the vet.

When the vet couldn’t find a microchip, she took him home for the night.

In San Diego, anyone who finds a dog must let the local shelter put it on a “hold” before they attempt to keep it. That ensures that anyone looking for the animal has at least some chance to find it.

Wilkerson planned to take him in for his hold the next day.

The dog settled in nicely and warmed up to her and her other pets that evening.

But the next morning, he clearly didn’t want to go to the shelter.

Unfortunately, Wilkerson made a mistake – she didn’t crate the pooch for the car ride.

The Chihuahua bolted the minute she opened the car door. He was gone.

“I didn’t take him in a crate. I figured I’d just carry him in my arms. I don’t know what I was thinking — I’d never done this before with a stray,” she admitted to The Dodo.

She was very upset with herself and even though it wasn’t even her dog, she started making “Lost” flyers and hanging them up around the shelter.

Luckily, a woman found a chihuahua later that day and took it into the shelter. It was the same dog!

His original rescuer was beyond relieved.

Even though he was on a “hold” and she couldn’t take him home, she went to the shelter the next day to make sure it was the same dog. And that’s when she named him.

“The woman’s name [who found him] was Austin Walker, so I named him after her,” Wilkerson said.

When his “stray hold” was over, Austin was free for Wilkerson to claim. She immediately took him home to foster him.

By November, Austin was trained up and ready for his forever home. A woman named Kate adopted him and sent Wilkerson sweet updates.

Wilkerson shared those updates with her followers and everyone was thrilled to hear he was safe and happy.

The best guess is that he spent years living on the street before his rescue at the liquor store – but he would never have to stray again.

He’s doing great in his new fur-ever home.

We love a happy ending!

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Source: The Dodo, Sabrina Wilkerson via Facebook