Amid countless heartbreaking dog stories, this one is sure to move you to tears.
Maru, a truly special pup, takes center stage. If he could speak, there’s no doubt he would trade all the attention he’s received for a different fate.
Chained in a remote spot near a treacherous cliff, Maru endured a decade of neglect. Yet, he never lost hope that a brighter future awaited him!
Years Of Solitude And Heartbreak
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Maru’s journey began fourteen years ago when he was just a tiny pup. His first owner purchased him at a steep price and kept him as part of the family for four years. But then, heartbreak struck.
Handed over to a new owner, Maru’s life took a devastating turn. Instead of warmth and companionship, he was left chained outside. Never in his wildest dreams could this gentle soul have imagined spending most of his life in captivity.
Tied to a short leash in a cramped shelter that barely qualified as a dog house, Maru lived on the edge—literally. His makeshift home sat dangerously close to a cliff, placing his life at risk every single day.
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“Over the years, we’ve rescued many abandoned dogs, but this was one of the worst locations we’ve ever seen. The tiny structure, which the dog called home, sat dangerously close to the edge of a cliff,” the rescue team shared on Instagram.
For years, poor Maru had only a thin sheet of metal as a roof, offering little protection from the elements. He huddled beneath it, trying to escape the relentless rain and bitter cold. Tragically, with nowhere else to go, he was forced to relieve himself in the same cramped space.
The compassionate team at WEACT sprang into action the moment they learned about Maru’s plight. What shocked them most was the heartbreaking reality—Maru had spent years in isolation, suffering in silence with no one to help him.
Source: @we.a.c.t
They couldn’t help but feel heartbroken, knowing they had arrived too late to give Maru the life he had always deserved. Now in his senior years, he had spent a decade without ever knowing the warmth of a real home.
As the rescuers approached, bracing themselves for the worst, something truly astonishing happened. Instead of fear or aggression, Maru greeted them with a gentle smile and a wagging tail.
It was as if he was trying to tell them, in his own way, just how lonely and forgotten he had been all these years—yet, in that moment, he was simply overjoyed to finally have someone by his side.
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
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The team carefully placed Maru in a kennel and set off toward a new chapter in his life.
During the ride, he was understandably nervous, uncertain of what lay ahead. But the moment he arrived at the rescue, all his fears melted away. He was greeted with a generous bowl of food, which he eagerly devoured within minutes—his first real meal in who knows how long.
Though his thick fur made him appear well-fed, the truth was heartbreaking. Underneath the matted layers, Maru was severely emaciated, his frail body hidden beneath years of neglect.
“The tangled mess of fur hanging from his body looked like armor,” WEACT shared.
Then came the long-overdue grooming session… and with it, yet another heartbreaking discovery.
Source: @we.a.c.t
Once Maru’s tangled fur was finally shaved away after a decade of neglect, he looked like an entirely different dog—shockingly small and frail. Beneath the heavy coat, he was dangerously underweight, needing at least fifteen more pounds to reach a healthy size.
The years of hardship had left their mark. Scars covered his body, and many of his teeth were missing, silent proof of his long suffering. But the most devastating news came when the vets diagnosed him with stage-2 heartworms.
Yet, despite everything he had endured, Maru remained incredibly loving and affectionate. He seemed to understand he was finally safe—grateful just to be far away from the tiny, inadequate shelter that had been his prison for so long.
Source: @we.a.c.t
Maru still has a long road ahead, but his caregivers are determined to give him the love and care he always deserved. Their top priority now is keeping this sweet soul as comfortable and happy as possible.
Giving Maru the golden years he was denied for so long is not just an act of kindness—it’s a privilege. And the WEACT team is making sure every moment counts.
“WEACT will now become his family. We will ensure he experiences happiness in a warm and safe environment,” they declared.