Man Adopts 'Barely Alive' Stray Senior Dog so It Lives Last Years in Peace

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A dog found starving and abandoned in a cage is finally getting the love and care he deserves, thanks to his rescuer—who has shared their journey.

Grits' heartbreaking story began when his original owner was sent to jail. Passed on to a family member, Grits was neglected, left caged and "barely alive." This was when Taylor Ivy, a compassionate animal lover, discovered the emaciated hound dog-pit bull mix in a dire state.

"He was passed down to a family member of the owner, who neglected to take care of him and basically left him to die," Ivy told Newsweek. "[Grits] was very afraid and scared at first."

Grits was emaciated and scared of humans. When Ivy first brought him home in December, he was so malnourished that his stomach could only handle small amounts of food at a time.

"By showing him absolute love and care, he grew to trust me, and we have formed a great bond," Ivy said. "He's doing really well, eating and drinking a lot now, and gaining weight."

Ivy shared Grits' story on Reddit's r/dog sub, where thousands of people have reacted to his story. In his post, Ivy described the state in which he found Grits: "He couldn't walk and could barely stand. He is a wonderful old man. Now, he can live his last years in peace."

"You are an incredible person, and we salute you. I hope it comes back to you one day somehow and benefits you," wrote Redditor Square_Ad849. While Sweet_Beautiful6922 said: "God bless people like you, and Grits will be a wonderful and grateful companion... bless you both."

"I wanted to share his story because I think he deserves the recognition," Ivy said. "And also to bring light to the situation of these neglected dogs. Many of these animals will die without our help. The bond you form with animals like this is stronger than any other bond. Grits is my best friend," Ivy said.

When Grits gained viral attention online, Ivy was thrilled. He hopes Grits' story will inspire others to adopt or rescue animals in need. "I love the overwhelming support and love I got from the community," he said. "If you have a chance to save a dog, do it. There isn't a more loyal companion."

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