On a cold winter day in Michigan, a confused young pup named Corn Flakes stood alone on the banks of the river in McCurdy Park.
Though the sun shimmered on the water, there was no warmth in the moment for the 10-month-old dog.
Scattered beside him were all of his worldly possessions — a crate, some toys, blankets, and two bags of food — left behind as if he were no more than an afterthought.
Corn Flakes had been abandoned.
Fortunately, a passerby spotted the nervous dog running loose and quickly acted. They coaxed him into his crate and called the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office for help.
Deputy Kirt Stechschulte responded to the call. While he had been told the dog might be fearful or aggressive, what he found was something very different.
“As I approached, he started wagging his tail and even rolled over,” Stechschulte told The Dodo. “Once I clipped a tether onto him, he got super excited and was really friendly. I think he was just scared at first.”
Stechschulte brought Corn Flakes to the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter, where the young pit bull mix could finally rest in a warm, safe place. With soft bedding, regular meals, and kind people around him, Corn Flakes began to relax — and even started showing off his silly, affectionate personality.
Now that he's had time to decompress, Corn Flakes is ready for his next chapter. He's learning how to be the best version of himself, with lots of love, structure, and training. Staff describe him as energetic and playful — a dog who needs a home with people willing to be patient, consistent, and ideally, up for some adventure.
“He’s a strong personality and can come on a bit intense, so a tolerant dog buddy would be great,” one shelter advocate wrote in a Facebook post. “He’s been through a lot, and he just needs a family with patience and a good sense of humor to help him shine.”
No matter how long it takes, Corn Flakes won’t be alone again. His rescuers are committed to giving him the love and support he needs until the perfect family finds him.
If you’re interested in adopting Corn Flakes, contact Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter at (517) 676-8370.
