While vacationing in Delbarton, West Virginia, Mariah and her sister ended up with an unexpected guest at the Airbnb they were staying at. “During our getaway, my family and I stumbled upon a precious soul in need of help. It all started with a simple trip on our four wheelers, but it quickly turned into a heartwarming rescue mission,” she wrote on her TikTok channel.
On the second night of their stay, a tan dog showed up on their porch and slept on their four wheeling clothes. He was covered in scars and was very friendly. “He just fell on his back and wanted his stomach rubbed,” said Mariah.
Not knowing whose dog he was, they talked to a neighbor who told them that the dog was a stray, as were the other dogs he was hanging out with. Realizing the dogs were not being fed, Mariah and her sister got them dog food but Cooper, as they named him, was the only dog who came up to them. She said it was like he was telling himself, “I want love, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen.” They couldn’t let him inside to the Airbnb but someone suggested they take him to the local Walmart to wash him, which is what they did while removing the ticks off of him.
Mariah wanted to take Cooper home, but her husband was completely against the idea. But she insisted and her family eventually caved. “I felt a connection to him and they had to accept it,” she said. And Cooper wanted to come. Unfortunately, due to her and her sister’s living situations, Cooper could not stay with either of them. Thankfully, Mariah’s grandma-in-law agreed to foster him (alongside her other foster dogs.) He stayed there two months until Mariah’s father-in-law finally agreed to take Cooper, which meant he was closer by. Cooper quickly got along with the family dog and everyone loves him now. And, Mariah and her husband were able to find a place to live that is pet-friendly so they have officially adopted Cooper!
The vet says that Cooper is around 2 years old and he has Lyme Disease but he’s getting treatment and he’s gained 20 pounds. Mariah said Cooper is doing really well now and he’s like a big baby.
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