Stephanie Ruocco from Western Massachusetts got quite a surprise when she checked her Ring camera. At first, she thought she saw a coyote, but with a closer look, she discovered it was actually a dog in need.
Over the next few days, Stephanie made sure to leave food and water by her garage for the mysterious visitor. Each day, the dog grew a bit bolder and slowly revealed himself. It turned out this wasn’t just any stray; it was a dog named Ghost, who had been lost in the woods for months. Luckily, he found the right person to help him.
Stephanie and her family decided to rename the dog CJ. After escaping from his previous owner—a veteran who couldn’t care for him anymore—CJ had been barely more than a puppy when he ended up spending two months on his own in the dense wilderness of Massachusetts.
“He’s been living in the woods since March after escaping just an hour after being given to his owner. He was very shy, especially around men, but we kept feeding him, and he returned every day,” Stephanie shared on Instagram.
At first, CJ was too frightened to come close. He would grab the food left for him and disappear again, never letting Stephanie near him. But she had a plan. She began to sit outside, quietly ignoring him, which helped CJ become more at ease.
After about two months, there was a breakthrough. CJ finally accepted a toy thrown by Stephanie, even wagging his tail for the first time. What started as a rescue effort blossomed into a deeper bond.
Although Stephanie hadn’t been looking to adopt a dog, CJ quickly captured her heart. During the time she spent trying to rescue him, their bond strengthened so much that they became inseparable.
Stephanie welcomed CJ into her home, offering him a cozy place to sleep and lots of love. Now, CJ was far from the uncertainty of the woods, feeling safe and loved.
“CJ is now sleeping in our basement, full of energy and affection, and we’ve even hired a K9 trainer to help make him the best he can be! Thank you for all the support! This story truly has the happiest ending,” Stephanie remarked.
Today, CJ is a thriving and happy pup, spending his days frolicking and resting, thoroughly enjoying the companionship of his rescuer. Thanks to Stephanie’s kindness and patience, CJ now has a forever home filled with warmth and love.
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