JOEY

JOEY
It was a little over 10 years ago when I found Joey, starving on the streets in Tunica. We never thought Joey would survive. How could he? His stomach was full of rocks. He had been eating rocks on the side of the road, just trying to stay alive.
In a neighborhood filled with people, always in their yards, always standing in the streets, this pitiful little starving dog went unnoticed. Completely ignored by everyone that passed him by. His owner had gone to jail and suddenly, Joey's life didn't matter to anyone in the neighborhood. Until a man making a delivery saw him and sent a picture to our facebook page.
When we rescued Joey, he was at death's door. The Emergency Hospital we rushed him too, sent him back to us the very next day. Said they had done all they could for him. I have never forgotten that. He was clearly dying when I put him back in my car.
At that point we weren't about to give up on him so we rushed Joey to see Dr. Pam Chandler in Memphis. If he had a prayer at all, it would be in her extraordinary hands. Pam Chandler went the extra mile to save Joey by quickly determining he had a blockage. A stomach full of rocks that were killing him. Emergency surgery was his only option. She made it clear to me that day, Joey would probably not survive the surgery because of his weakened condition. But we took that huge Leap of Faith we so often do at the Tunica Humane Society. Asking God to hold Joey in the Palm of His Hand until he came out of surgery.
Joey did survive that day and oh, how he thrived in our care. People from around the country followed Joey's journey back to life. They sent him love letters. They sent him presents. They sent him prayers and well-wishes from every corner of the world.
And on Christmas Eve ten years ago, Joey went home with a loving family. It was such a Glorious day for all of us that fought so hard to save him. His adoption even made the national news.
I called Joey's dad tonight to see how he is doing. He sent me these pictures to share. Joey is growing old and grey now, just like his rescuers. Life has slowed him down but just a little bit. His health is still good for his age. His body is still strong. His heart is still huge and filled with love for his family. And our hearts are still filled with love for Joey. We simply couldn't give up on him when everyone else had let him down.
Our most famous Comeback Kid
​12/26/2021

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Joey has a message for his old neighborhood... "The joke's on them"....
​He's now one of the most loved dogs in the world!!!