Gabriel Wiley has spent seven years driving a garbage truck through Houston, but nothing prepared him for what he’d see through his camera one morning back in early June.
Right after dumping an 8-foot tall trash container into the truck’s hopper, Gabriel noticed something moving inside.
When he looked closer, he realized it was a small dog, matted fur and all, walking around where garbage should have been.
Given the height of the container, Gabriel was certain of one thing.
“He’s not able to jump in the trash can,” he said. “Somebody actually put him in the trash.”
Gabriel didn’t hesitate. He immediately made calls, and the local SPCA arrived to rescue the frightened little dog.
But before they took him away, Gabriel made sure to say something important. “Once the SPCA got him out the truck, I just told them I wanted him.”
A few weeks later, after the SPCA had shaved, vaccinated, and microchipped the pup, they called Gabriel to let him know he was ready.
Gabriel didn’t waste any time bringing him home to live with him and his wife of 27 years, Zanetta.
He named the dog Hopper, in honor of the very part of the truck where he first found him.
Since coming home, Hopper has settled right into the family, soaking up plenty of attention from Gabriel’s grandkids and quickly becoming a favorite around the house.
But it’s clear who holds a special place in Hopper’s heart most of all.
As one family member put it, watching him rest so comfortably in Gabriel’s hand, “He’s found home.”
Perhaps the sweetest detail of all came the day Gabriel called Zanetta to tell her what happened. Without missing a beat, she simply said, “Bring him home.”
A dog nobody wanted ended up finding exactly where he was always meant to be, right in the arms of the man who refused to leave him behind.
Have you ever found an animal in an unexpected place and known right away they were meant to be yours?
Source:
Good Morning America – “Dog rescued from garbage truck finds forever home with driver”