Life didn’t start out great for Gus. The poor dog was found wandering around Houston, Texas with a swollen head and severely injured throat.

Rescuers with the Houston K-911 Rescue set out to help the dog and it took a bit of work, but they eventually trapped him.

In a Facebook post, they said: “We found him in this enclosed space in the back of the apartments where I lost him at this morning. We were about to walk right past it, then noticed the opening and looked inside with a flashlight. After a few seconds, we commented about how badly it reeked in there. We were about to go in to look in a room that’s inside when the dog came strolling out. He was about to make a run for it through the opening when we blocked it off.”

They added, “You can see the shoelace in the last picture. SHOELACES DON’T BELONG ON DOGS!!!”

One of the rescuers, Vergi, said that the dog, Gus, was the “worst they’ve seen” in their dog rescue career.

While the vet was unsure how Gus’ recovery at first, the dog proved to be a fighter. Gus had to undergo multiple surgeries, but he survived and slowly started to gain strength and heal. Gus went home as a foster with the Houstin K-911 Rescue founder, Anna Barbosa.

Barbosa started a Facebook page so people could keep up with Gus as he continued his healing journey and eventually would be put up for adoption.

However, just 4 months after Gus was rescued, Barbosa shared on the Facebook page that Gus had wiggled his way into her heart and he would be staying in her family indefinitely.

The post said: “You would think as the founder of Houston K-911 Rescue, Anna Barbosa would have a little tougher shell and that she would be the last one to(as we call it in the rescue community) foster fail. Well I am here to announce she FAILED big time…I am the one she couldn’t let go.”

That was back in 2018, and since then, Gus has not only overcome his hardships but now, he’s helping educate the public on the importance of treating animals with kindness!

As shared on Facebook, Gus visits schools “to chat up the kiddos about being kind to animals.It’s always a good idea to start ’em young!”

Beyond that, he also participates in adoption events and acts as an ambassador!

When Gus isn’t on doggy duty spreading the good word about being kind of adopting pets, he’s relaxing at home.

He gets plenty of cozy blankets to cuddle up with, as well as a nice yard to roam in and snacks to enjoy. He’s really living the life!

It’s sad that Gus’ life had such a rough start, but we’re so happy to see he’s thriving with his new family. You can keep up with him and other rescue dogs on his Facebook page, Gus’ Journey.