Many of us prefer to shower our dogs with love and affection, but unfortunately, there are some unpleasant animal owners out there, showing that certain people should never be near animals for their own safety.

One of those individuals was the owner of Chunk, a beautiful three-month-old puppy who had lost all her vigor and vitality. From birth, her owner had cruelly mistreated her. After three months, she was simply abandoned by the roadside, chained to a tree so she couldn’t escape.

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The poor dog was left in the rain, absolutely terrified and presumably wondering what she had done wrong. Fortunately, the local fire department discovered the trapped dog, albeit by coincidence. On a cold October day in Sacramento, a firefighter managed to save Chunk just in time.

They were responding to an urgent call and saw the four-legged canine at the roadside. Because it was an emergency, the crew couldn’t immediately take her but had to return once their call was resolved.

The harsh weather was especially tough for her, and the firefighters still remember how terribly she was shaking from the cold. Firefighter Mike Thawley decided to take little Chunk under his wing and bring her back to the fire station. Mike and his colleagues did everything they could to give this unfortunate dog the love and care she deserved.

Since she was still feeling extremely cold, the first thing they did was offer her a warm bath followed by lots of hugs and cuddles from several firefighters.

Not only was she suffering from the cold, but it was also evident from the beginning that she was dealing with severe mange. It is not uncommon to see this skin condition in dogs that have been mistreated or abused by their owners. Chunk received initial assistance at the fire station and was then taken to an animal shelter for further treatment and hopefully to find a permanent, loving home.

The Front Street Animal Shelter took her in to treat her mange and ensured she made a full recovery. A temporary foster home was also set up where she could stay until she felt healthier. It took a little time before her fur grew back, and Chunk’s recovery wasn’t as easy as they had imagined.

While Chunk spent her days in the shelter or in her foster home, there was one person in particular who couldn’t stop thinking about her. Firefighter Mike Thawley returned to the shelter with quite a surprise. The pit bull clearly didn’t forget who this man was, and you can see how animated and happy she is when she reunites with her rescuer.

“We all fell in love with her,” said the Sacramento Fire Department on their Facebook page.

Mike didn’t come alone to the shelter; his wife and three daughters accompanied him. And they were there for a specific cause! The firefighter and his family were eager to care for her forever.

“Although Mike denies it, it seems that by a four-to-one vote, Chunk might end up with a permanent home,” the post adds with a smile.

Firefighter Mike Thawley returned to the Front Street Animal Shelter today with his family. The group was there to take the foster dog Chunk home. Chunk was rescued from Engine 14 by Mike and the rest of the crew last Sunday and has been recovering at the shelter.

Despite Mike’s denials, it seems that Chunk will have a permanent home by a four-to-one vote. Thanks to Bobby Mann and the rest of the Front Street Shelter team for their ongoing commitment to our community.

Mike and his family had to wait four months for the mange treatment to be completed before they could take her home, but everyone was very excited to adopt her after such a long time.

“I think the best part of this whole story is that not only did this dog get her forever home, but she had the chance to go to a foster home, which we always seek in our shelter, to be happy and healthy,” commented one of the shelter staff members, Bobby Mann.

Be sure to watch Mike’s adorable first reunion with this brave pit bull puppy below.