With no vets nearby, rescuers introduced a ‘dying’ pup to a family of chimps — the 'miracle' that unfolded later stunned everyone

One of the rescuers, a vet, began treatment, though even he wasn’t sure the dog would survive.

PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO

(L) A weak puppy. (R) Two chimpanzees. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Juhku, (R) Photostock, Israel/ Science)

In one remarkable case, what began as a heartbreaking roadside encounter turned into a story of healing, unexpected friendship, and a new beginning. When a woman spotted a dying puppy on the side of the road, she knew she had to act. This healing journey involved not only the rescue team and vets, but also a group of caring chimpanzees.

Two chimpanzees laughing together. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Fiona Rogers) — Two chimpanzees sitting together. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Fiona Rogers)

As reported by iHeartDogs, the story took place in Liberia, when two chimpanzee activists came across a dying puppy lying on the side of the road. The YouTube channel Their Turn shared the video, revealing how Jenny Desmond, one of the activists, found the frail, flea-infested dog barely clinging to life. “Jenny Desmond sees a dying puppy on the side of the road,” the onscreen text reads. With no nearby veterinary services and very little hope, she made the decision to bring the puppy back to the chimpanzee sanctuary she and her husband Jim operate.

Weak dog sleeping in the street. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | mtreasure)

The puppy, later named Snafu, was in terrible shape. He had missing fur, visible sores, and severely wasted muscles. “You okay, buddy?” Jenny asked gently as she bathed him at the sanctuary. Her husband Jim, a vet, began treatment, though even he wasn’t sure Snafu would make it. Over the next few days, they watched him closely. “Every day, we kind of felt like he's getting a little bit better,” Jenny said in the video. By day five, his fur had begun to grow back. But the most surprising part of his recovery came from the chimps.

Golden Retriever with Veterinary Cone Indoors. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Gabrielli Pereira)

Snafu was introduced to the sanctuary’s chimpanzee family, and the chimps took him in without hesitation. As he struggled to move around, especially with the cone around his neck to stop him from scratching his healing wounds, the chimps stepped up. They carried him up and down stairs, gently cared for him, and treated him like one of their own. For an entire year, this bond only grew stronger. “She rescued a lot,” one staff member noted in the video, referring to Jenny. “She rescued chickens. She rescued grasshoppers. The owls.” But this time, it was the animals who gave back.

By November 2017, Snafu had made a full recovery. He was big, strong, and ready for a new life. Jenny shared that he would be moving to Colorado to live with her nieces. “He’s gonna have a great, wonderful life,” she said. The final clips show Snafu playing in the snow with the girls, full of energy and joy, a world away from the roadside where he was first found. The heartwarming video instantly struck a chord with internet users, and many took to the comments to praise the rescuers for their compassion. @jsalterxpress.2480 wrote, "She jumped in, took charge, and saved that beautiful puppy. What a blessing." @theeasypeasysquad4169 expressed, "When you realize the chimps are babies themselves, it's even more heart-warming." @ailencitaa3836 thanked, "We need more humans like you in this cruel world, thank you."