Woman found a dog tied to a tree, dehydrated and terrified. Five years later, he’s unrecognizable

In a Reddit post shared by u/Dry_Presentation4300, a woman marked five years since rescuing the dog she now calls her soulmate. She found him tied to a tree on the side of a busy road, severely dehydrated, underweight, and covered in ticks. "I hope seeing this happy little boy can make someone smile today," she wrote, sharing before-and-after photos of the dog’s journey from trauma to recovery.

Michelly Guimarães, 27, from Minas Gerais, Brazil, told Newsweek that she had been walking home early from work when she heard heavy panting coming from a patch of dense roadside brush. Curious and concerned, she went closer and discovered the animal, unmoving, silent, and barely responsive. "He was so weak that he didn't even react to me," she said, adding, "He was severely dehydrated, underweight, covered in fleas and ticks, his fur was matted, and he looked terrified. I knew right then and there he was mine. No second thoughts. That was instantly my baby boy."

After getting him urgent veterinary help, Guimarães brought the dog home, but his adjustment to safety was not immediate. That first night, he walked slowly around the house, visibly unsure. "He would watch me carefully and didn’t know how to respond to kindness," she said. Then, an hour later, he suddenly burst into a spontaneous round of zoomies, running wildly in every direction. She named him Pipoca, the Portuguese word for popcorn, because of how much he loved jumping. And while his body healed quickly, the emotional recovery was far slower. Pipoca startled easily and grew defensive around common household objects.

He never acted out aggressively, but he barked, froze, and tried to manage his surroundings, a survival instinct Guimarães recognized as the imprint of abuse. Over time, she gently worked to ease his fears. She placed a belt beside his food bowl, swept floors in front of him while playing with her cats, and moved carefully whenever he was near. After many small steps, a breakthrough finally came. One day, as she swept the kitchen floor, Pipoca calmly walked over and licked her feet. That small gesture, Guimarães said, was the moment she knew his healing had taken root.

It took nearly two years for Pipoca to fully trust her, but today, he’s confident, affectionate, and devoted. "These days, he’s my best friend. We’re absolutely obsessed with each other," she said. Pipoca spends his days playing in the garden, trailing behind Guimarães as she works from home. While Pipoca found his forever home, there are many animals that are still looking for one. As per a report by Shelter Animals Count, in 2023 alone, over 6.5 million pets entered shelters and rescue organizations across the U.S, including 3.2 million dogs.

The post has received over 13,000 upvotes, and Reddit users responded with admiration, empathy, and joy. u/MonstreDelicat wrote, "Two years to overcome his trauma. Poor baby! So, so glad you found and saved him. He looks healthy, and happy." u/WheatenBuckle added, "Well done!! It absolutely made me smile to see your buddy and hear your story. Kind people are the best. Give him pats from his admirers in this sub!" u/blanknameblank wrote, "This baby deserves all the kindness and love, and I will focus on the positive aspect of how everything turned out, and note that some people themselves should be tied to a tree." Guimarães didn’t expect the internet’s reaction to their story. "I read them all out loud to him. He didn’t understand a word, of course, but his tail wouldn’t stop wagging," she said.