When Lilia Toscano stepped outside her Detroit home and noticed a large plastic tote duct-taped shut by the curb, something about it didn’t sit right. Curious and concerned, she walked over to investigate — and what she found inside left her heartbroken.
Tucked into the cramped, sealed bin was a terrified, shivering dog, too scared to move.
Realizing the urgency, Toscano called her neighbor for help. Together, they gently brought the frightened pup — later named Kendrick — indoors and reached out to P.O.E.T. Animal Rescue. Kendrick lay frozen in place, unsure whether he was hurt or simply paralyzed by fear.
A rescue board member rushed Kendrick to the vet for evaluation. X-rays showed no physical injuries, but it was clear his emotional wounds ran deep. Slowly, Kendrick began responding to one of the vet techs, showing a glimmer of trust in a world that had failed him.
That’s when Lauren Boesen, another board member, stepped in to foster him.
“When I met him at the vet, he was hiding and very apprehensive,” Boesen told The Dodo. “I sat on the floor with him and began talking baby talk to him, and I saw a tail wag.”
That small tail wag said it all — Kendrick was ready to try again.
Boesen gently put on a collar and leash, and Kendrick willingly hopped into her car, gazing out the window as if he knew his life was about to change.
At his foster home, Kendrick was cautious. He didn’t know how to play, accept affection, or even act like a typical dog. But with patience, quiet moments, and plenty of love, he began to blossom.
“Over the last few weeks, he has grown to love cuddles and pets,” Boesen said. “He now loves to be picked up and run through the yard. He absolutely adores the snow.”
Kendrick is still on his journey to full confidence, but he’s come so far — from a sealed tote on the side of the road to a warm home and open arms.
He’s now waiting for a forever family who’ll never let him down again. If you're interested in adopting Kendrick, reach out to P.O.E.T. Animal Rescue for more information.
