Amazon driver rescues roadside puppy being eaten by ants; he now has a home and weighs 25 pounds

Indy's route to a home started at the roadside, where an Amazon delivery driver stopped to help the puppy as ants were attacking him. Thanks to that decision, the little dog has found a home and grown to 25 pounds.

Here's what to know

In a post on Reddit's r/BeforeNAfterAdoption community, Indy's adopter shared that he was only weeks old and weighed under four pounds when the driver found him. The post was titled "Roadside puppy to couch potato."

"She picked him up and took him to the shelter, where we were able to adopt him," they recalled.

The puppy's name came from the timing of that moment. 

"We call him Indy, since we got him near Independence day," the adopter explained.

In the first photo, Indy is tiny.  His face looks like it could not even fill the palm of his adopter.

More background

Since his rescue, Indy has gained more than 21 pounds, and his adopter said he is still growing. The adopter described Indy as "as sweet as can be" and believes he is an American Pit Bull Terrier.

The pictures show the transformation. The small puppy in the first photo appears to grow both in size and confidence. Several pictures show Indy lounging comfortably on furniture, and gazing lovingly at his owner. 

"Omg, this transformation is amazing," a commenter said.

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier also lives in the household, and the adopter said Indy loves the other dog.

One commenter pointed out his "heart-shaped nose."

What's being done?

Commenters thanked both the driver who stopped to help Indy and the person who welcomed him into the family.

"Thank god the Amazon driver did the right thing!!" one exclaimed. "And now you get to keep this sweet boy safe!! Happy life little Indy!!"

Indeed, it often takes multiple parties to facilitate a rescue like this. It can take a Good Samaritan like the Amazon driver to go out of their way to help an animal in need, instead of going on with their busy day.

Next up are the rescues that provide needed medical care and shelter to the animals, and help ready them for a forever home. Locals can help them out by volunteering time, donating, and fostering as needed.

Lastly, adopters like the original poster complete the process and can provide the love and support at the final stage.

"Thank you for taking this little guy in!" a commenter wrote to them. "He was in such a bad state and now he looks so comfy and happy."

Where can I learn more?

Other dogs have found safety the way Indy did because someone stopped to help. 

• While filming a safety PSA, a lieutenant rescued a sick stray from traffic and adopted her.

• In California, an emaciated dog rescued from a parking lot found a home through fostering.

• In Indianapolis, rescuers heard yelping and pulled a pit bull puppy from a sewer drain.

• In Pennsylvania, a one-pound Chihuahua abandoned in a storm drain was pulled to safety.

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