Dog rescued from abuse in Bulgaria and homelessness in London finally gets forever home

A dog who survived abuse in Bulgaria and homelessness in London has finally found the ordinary comfort every pet deserves. 

Here's what to know

In a Reddit thread, Kenji's adopters wrote that he was rescued twice before finding his forever home with them.

They said the dog first endured "horrific abuse" in Bulgaria before coming to England. While they think Kenji may be a German Shepherd/Akita cross, they were not completely certain. 

What they are sure about is that he is "a beautiful baby, a total couch potato, goofball, and all round lovely boy." They added that "his trust in humans despite his past is incredible." 

"All we know is he's got his forever home full of naps on the sofa, good food, lots of fun, and no one will ever hurt him again," they concluded.

"Those soft eyes, that laughing mouth," a commenter reacted. "All shadows of what came before have been erased and he sees nothing but you and your love. Good going."

"How anyone could abuse this precious dog is beyond my comprehension!" a Reddit user exclaimed. "But thankfully, there are also wonderful humans like you who choose adoption and well deserved second chances!"

What can be done?

For people who have the time, budget, and housing to responsibly bring home a pet, adoption can be a direct way to help an animal in need.

For those who are not in a position to adopt, there are still practical ways to help. Fostering, donating food or supplies, volunteering with local shelters, and sharing adoptable animals with friends can all help rescues place pets in stable homes.

Anyone considering a rescue dog should also be realistic about the commitment involved. Building trust can take time, especially for animals coming from trauma. Safe routines, gentle handling, and patience all matter.

"Maybe I'm just an old softy but I choose to believe a rescued dog knows," a Redditor wrote. "He knows what you've done for him. He knows."

Where can I learn more?

Other rescue dogs endured hardship before settling into safer lives. They include dogs recovering from abuse, strays finally adopted, and long-waiting rescues finding permanent families.

• In Harlingen, Texas, a battered dog found beside green water nearby was rescued for adoption.

• In Thailand, Sienna made the journey home after years as a street dog.

• In Scotland, Timmy spent 1,055 days in care before his foster family adopted him.

• With one family, a rescue dog grew into the sweetest dog they had ever known.

• In Greenville, South Carolina, a mother dog got a shot at home after her puppies were adopted.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.