Though physically challenged, the disabled dog remains steadfastly loyal, driven to satisfy his owner’s wishes and reassuringly proclaiming, “Master, I can still walk.”
Abandoned and Helpless: Tire Shop Workers Rescue a Dog With Twisted Legs, and Love Finds Him a Home
In mid-February, two tire repairmen, Ozimar Queiroz and Lindomar Queiroz, arrived early one morning at their workplace — a modest tire repair shop located along Estrada do Belmont, in the northern zone of Porto Velho, Brazil. What they didn’t expect was the heartbreaking sight waiting for them by the roadside.
Lying motionless near the edge of the road was an abandoned dog in critical condition. His body was thin and frail, his eyes dull with fatigue, and his front legs twisted in such a way that he couldn’t even stand or walk. He was barely clinging to life — helpless, muddy, and alone.
Ozimar, who is known by many as “Galego,” was deeply moved by the animal’s suffering. Despite not having much, he made a compassionate and firm decision: he would take care of the injured dog for as long as necessary, hoping that someone with a kind heart would one day come forward to adopt him.
Days turned into weeks, and still, no permanent home appeared. Nearly 20 days had passed since the poor creature was found abandoned, and the workers continued to do their best to care for him. Every day, they brought him food, offered water, and tried to keep his spirits up.
“They just dumped him in front of our shop,” Galego explained, visibly upset. “We arrived in the morning, and there he was — lying there, helpless. We couldn’t ignore him. So we brought him in, tried to make him comfortable, and began feeding him. But it’s heartbreaking to see him like this. His two front legs are twisted backward, and he can’t walk at all.”
Due to the way the dog laid on a wooden board and his limited mobility, the workers affectionately began calling him “Foca,” which means seal in Portuguese. His front legs were splayed out like a seal’s flippers, and he could only drag himself across the ground with great effort.
Throughout the day, the tire mechanics would carefully reposition Foca, moving him from one spot to another so he wouldn’t stay lying in the same position for too long. Yet despite their efforts, he would often end up crawling through the mud to find some comfort in the company of a stray cat that roamed the tire shop. That cat was the only other living soul he had to interact with.
“He’s an incredibly gentle dog,” said Lindomar, his coworker. “But he desperately needs veterinary care — something we simply can’t afford. We call him a seal because of the way he lies and moves. When we first found him, he was skin and bones. But now, after some days of feeding and love, he’s starting to gain weight. He’s still dirty from the rain and mud, but we don’t care about that. He’s part of our team now.”
News of the dog’s tragic condition and the kindness of the workers quickly spread across social media. People were touched by the story of the dog named Foca and the two humble men who did everything they could for him.
Then, finally, something incredible happened. A couple from Porto Velho saw the story online and felt compelled to help. They came forward and adopted Foca, giving him a second chance at life.
The dog, who had spent nearly three weeks lying on the cold ground outside a tire shop, was finally going to a warm and loving home. The woman who adopted him, named Michele, immediately felt a deep emotional connection.
“It was love at first sight,” Michele said with tears in her eyes. “His condition broke my heart. He was so defenseless, yet so gentle and affectionate. I fell in love with him right away. There are no words to describe how I feel. He’s like my baby. It’s a mother’s love.”
Michele gave Foca a new name — a symbol of a new beginning — and promised to give him all the care, comfort, and love he would ever need. His days of crawling through the mud and sleeping in the rain were finally over.
From being discarded like trash on the side of the road to being cherished as a beloved family member, Foca’s story is a powerful reminder that compassion can change lives. Thanks to two kind-hearted tire repair workers and a loving woman with an open heart, a dog once left for dead now knows what it means to be loved.