One morning, officers at DeKalb County Animal Services in Georgia discovered a heartbreaking scene outside their shelter.
A Pitbull puppy had been abandoned in a small cardboard box meant for plums. Emaciated and frightened, the puppy clung to the box, refusing to leave even after shelter staff brought him inside.
Despite their efforts to comfort him, the little pup—whom they named Plum—remained curled up in his box, too scared to let go.
Abandoned And Scared
Source: @plumpelstiltskin
Plum was overwhelmed with fear and sadness, struggling to understand why his family had abandoned him so heartlessly.
“We just wanted to comfort him, to let him know he was safe,” said Karen from LifeLine Animal Project in an interview with The Dodo. “We set up a cozy crate with a soft bed and some treats, leaving the door open in the hopes that he would step inside on his own.”
It took weeks for Plum to finally leave his box, but as he formed bonds with a few shelter employees, he gradually began to explore his surroundings.
As he slowly stepped out—both from his box and his shell—the staff got to see just how special he truly was.
Source: @plumpelstiltskin
“When Plum arrived, he was too afraid to leave the safety of his box. He has come so far, and we love watching his personality blossom,” LifeLine Animal Project shared in a Facebook post.
Plum quickly formed strong bonds with the shelter staff, which came as no surprise—he was naturally sweet and affectionate.
As he grew more comfortable, his playful and goofy side began to shine, bringing joy to everyone around him.
After weeks of patience and care, the staff finally knew Plum was going to be okay. His fear was fading, and his true spirit was shining through.
“We wanted him to have his happily ever after, so we started sharing his story,” Karen said. “Just a month later, his perfect adopter came along and swept him off his feet—and the feeling was mutual.”
Plum was finally going home—this time, to a forever family that would never abandon him again!
Plum Going Home
Source: @plumpelstiltskin
Plum found his forever home with a loving woman named Melonie from Atlanta, Georgia. For her, it was love at first sight—she knew right away that he was meant to be part of her family.
“He had this look, like an old soul—something about him just stood out and drew us in,” Melonie told The Dodo.
When she first brought Plum home, he was still small and underweight, but with time, care, and plenty of love, he gained nearly 20 pounds and became much healthier.
Now, he’s thriving, enjoying life with his new furry siblings, and fitting right into his forever home.
Source: @plumpelstiltskin
According to Melonie, Plum is the sweetest dog—but he also has a goofy side. One of his favorite pastimes is lying upside down in the grass, happily rolling around without a care in the world.
“He falls asleep so easily and snores like a little freight train,” Melonie shared. “He can sleep in the most awkward positions or on the most uncomfortable-looking furniture. He’s truly a connoisseur of sleep.”
Although Plum’s life began with heartbreak, he’s now a happy, loving pup, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing him thrive.
You can keep up with Plum’s adventures on his official Instagram: @plumpelstiltskin_.