At first glance, they looked like nothing more than forgotten rags tossed on a rooftop in Mexico City. But when a neighbor looked closer, they saw something heartbreaking: the rags were moving.
Two little dogs — filthy, matted, and nearly unrecognizable — had been living chained on that rooftop for over two years. Their fur was so overgrown and knotted that it was hard to tell they were even animals. But someone cared enough to speak up, and that changed everything.
When authorities were alerted, they called in La Casa del Mestizo, a local rescue, who arrived to help the two neglected brothers. One of them was Terry, a 7-year-old dog with kind eyes hidden beneath a mountain of tangled hair.
“Their fur was so matted, you couldn’t even imagine how they must’ve felt,” said Zoë from West Coast Paws Dog Rescue, who partnered with the rescue to help.
Once safe at the shelter, Terry and his brother were immediately shaved, bathed, and given medical checkups. In just a few hours, Terry transformed from a mop of gray fur into a fluffy white dog — finally able to breathe, move, and feel comfortable again.
After his recovery, Terry was listed for adoption through West Coast Paws, which connects dogs in need from Mexico with loving homes in the U.S. and Canada. But months passed — nearly seven of them — and no one applied to adopt him.
“People kept overlooking him because of his age,” Zoë explained. “But we never gave up hope.”
Then, everything changed.
A couple in British Columbia, Lee and Danny, saw Terry’s photo online and felt an instant connection.
“There was something about him that just touched me,” Lee said. “Seeing how far he’d come — from those ‘little rags’ on the rooftop to this sweet, fluffy dog — I knew we could give him the life he deserved.”
Terry made the long journey from Mexico to Canada with the help of volunteers from West Coast Paws. The trip included a layover in Seattle before he finally touched down in his new country.
Back in British Columbia, Lee and Danny were preparing for his arrival with toys and treats, ready to welcome him home. When they finally met Terry — whom they renamed Teddy — it was love at first sight.
“He latched onto us right away,” Danny said. “He was just ready to be part of a family.”
Now settled into his new home, Teddy has fully embraced life as a beloved family dog. He’s playful, affectionate, and bursting with joy — a far cry from the quiet, hidden soul he once was.
“We’re so lucky to have him,” Danny said. “Teddy has a whole new life now — one filled with love, companionship, and the peace he waited so long for.”
