Charlie The Pit Bull Rescued From Trash And Over $10k Later, He's Living The Life He Deserves
May 08, 2019

God led two Good Samaritans to Charlie the pit bull just in time. Someone had discarded the poor, injured pup in a dumpster and left him to die. But don't worry, this inspiring animal rescue story has a happy ending. With more than ten thousand dollars worth of medical treatment, Charlie is finally living the life he deserves!
We'll never know exactly what happened to Charlie, a severely abused pit bull mix. But we know it wasn't good.
RELATED: Pit Bull And Stray Cat Make Unlikely Pair In Animated Short Carrying Deep Message
In October of 2017, Nikki Rubino got word of a dog in trouble. So, she and her roommate, Rob Rossi, went to investigate.
“Animal rescue is sort of my thing,” Nikki explained.
Nikki spent 6 years as a vet tech so she knew she could help. And when she and Rob got to the dumpster containing Charlie the pit bull, Nikki knew the poor dog couldn't have waited much longer for help.
"That would have been a death sentence for him due to his extensive injuries," she recalled.
Cleary God put Nikki in the right place at the right time to save a life!
Community Roots For Abused Dog
What Nikki and Rob found when they arrived was horrifying. Charlie barely had the strength to lift his head. In fact, Nikki initially thought he was dead.
“I tugged on the small piece of string attached to his neck that attached him to a pole. He turned his head and gave me the saddest face,” she recalled. "He was covered in flies and filth."
Nikki and Rob rushed Charlie the pit bull to the Philadelphia Animal Hospital, where the veterinarian staff couldn't believe what they saw.
"The vet was almost in tears when I brought him in," Nikki said.
Charlie's was one of the worst cases they'd ever seen at the hospital.
“We lifted up his jowls, and the inside of his cheeks and lip were entirely infested with maggots,” Adria Rebbecchi, one of the animal hospital staff, recalled. “He was in so much pain that he didn’t even want to move.”
Everyone was rooting for Charlie to survive. In fact, Adria's father owns the animal hospital who treated him. And he decided right then and there to cover all of Charlie's medical costs (which ended up being no small contribution!).
Even though Charlie the pit bull already had a special angel covering his treatment, his story left a big mark on the Philly community. They rallied around him on social media, sending donations as well, to help with his care.
"He touched the whole neighborhood with his story," Nikki explained.
“His eyes show so much sadness, no hope,” said Renee Jeanine Ragno, another person who helped with Charlie. “He so deserves a forever where he knows he’s safe, is loved, a bit spoiled and has fun!”
Journey To Recovery For Charlie The Pit Bull
Saving Charlie's life meant extensive surgery. Sadly, doctors had no choice but to remove nearly half of his swollen jowl, which was necrotic and teaming with maggots.
Charlie's injuries made it tough for the poor dog to eat, but his team of angels fed him small meals multiple times a day to make sure he was getting stronger. His tragic story had already stolen everyone's heart but Charlie's sweet nature only deepened everyone's devotion to his recovery.
RELATED: Caitlyn, Dog With Mouth Taped Shut Goes Viral (The Inspirational Short Story Of Her Recovery)
"He was always happy to be with people and won’t stop kissing and trying to play," Adria Rebbecchi of the Philadelphia Animal Hospital said. "Given his condition, he was very comfortable around people."
Charlie's medical care cost over $10,000, which the Philadelphia Animal Hospital happily covered. They sent the $2,000 worth of donations to the City of Elderly Love, a rescue organization for senior pets who agreed to foster Charlie the pit bull once he was ready.
Unfortunately, investigators never could track down Charlie's abusers or find out exactly what happened. But there's comfort in knowing he's finally safe and free from those horrifying circumstances.
Showing Charlie The Pit Bull Love
Once Charlie's medical care was complete, he spent time in two foster homes. His story reached far and wide and in addition to being called Charlie the pit bull, he also became known as Charlie the Philly Miracle.
Bill Gross had been following Charlie's story. And he just knew in his heart he was the one meant to give Charlie, who is estimated to be 8 years old, a loving forever home.
"I've always been a guy who roots for the underdog," Bill said. "Charlie just spoke to me in a way that I know I can give him the best rest of his life that he can have."
View this post on Instagram
So, that's just what he did!
Not only has Bill showered Charlie in the love this animal so richly deserves, he's set Charlie up with his very own Instagram account so everyone can see what a happy life he now leads. And Charlie the Philly Miracle gets to rest easy knowing he's loved!
View this post on Instagram
Charlie the pit bull had such a rough start. And the abuse he endured surely showcases the worst of humanity. But his inspirational animal rescue shows that good outshines the bad. And it also shows the power we all have to step up and do the right thing.
We just know God will bless Charlie with many more years of love!
h/t: Reshareworthy
Featured Image Credit: Philadelphia Animal Hospital
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Remember That Jesus Loves Me - Your Daily Prayer - February 11
When love feels fragile, God’s love remains unshakable. This prayer anchors your heart in the truth that His affection isn’t earned—it’s eternal.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Remember That Jesus Loves Me - Your Daily Prayer - February 11
When love feels fragile, God’s love remains unshakable. This prayer anchors your heart in the truth that His affection isn’t earned—it’s eternal.
Past Stories
- Florida Man is a True Hero After Saving Two Toddlers He Found in the Middle of a Busy Street
- Family of Young Boy Who Almost Drowned Meets the 911 Dispatcher That Helped Save His Life
- Neighbor Risks His Life to Save a Mother and Her Children From a House Fire
- Woman Receives a Letter in the Mail From 1953 and Figures Out Who It Belongs To
- Can You Lose Your Salvation?
- 10 Classic Christian Sunday School Songs That Kids Love To Sing
- 37 Best Birthday Bible Verses For A Daughter To Bless Her Special Day With Scripture
- These Two Mini Goldendoodles Are the Best Part of This Wisconsin Hotel
- After His Truck Became a Meme, the Community Stepped Up With a Huge Act of Kindness
- 15 Comforting Christian Songs for a Death or Tragedy
- What This Waitress Leaves For These Tired Firefighters Is So Touching I Cried!
- Woman Gives Birth Without Knowing She Was Pregnant, Leaving Her and Her Husband in Awe
- One Small Act of Kindness at a Pharmacy Led to an Unexpected Blessing
- After Years of Waiting and Loss, This Couple’s Path to Parenthood Took a Beautiful Turn
- 200 Hamburgers, Endless Smiles: Shelter Dogs Get a Feast They’ll Never Forget
- Meeting God in The Quiet
- What Began as a DNA Test Became a Father-Son Reunion Years in the Making
- A Simple Flea Market Visit in Kentucky Leads to an Incredible Family Reunion With the Past
- She Found a Lost Wallet on the Subway, Not Knowing How Returning it Would Change Her Life
- Supercentenarian Celebrates Her 111th Birthday and a Life Well Lived With Family and Friends
- Finding Love Again at 78, This Loving Couple Met at Church and Married Four Months Later
- Siblings Are Heroes After Saving Their Bus Driver and Keeping the Other Kids Calm
- Brave Father Runs Back Into Burning Home to Rescue His Daughter From House Fire
- The Power of Your Mouth
- Born in the Middle of World War I, This 108-Year-Old is Still Going Strong
- Diagnosed With Bone Cancer, Young Soldier Reunites With the Dog He Loved Overseas
- Baby Boy Born in a Carl's Jr. Parking Lot After Parents Didn't Make it to the Hospital On Time
- Landlord Surprises His Tenants By Offering Free Rent in November and December
- Birthday Boy Saves Friend From Drowning at His Own Pool Party
- His Girlfriend Had Sweet Memories of Bass Pro Shops, So That's Where Her Boyfriend Proposed
- Proud Parents Get a Surprise Visit From Their Soldier Son After Over a Year Apart
- Into the Deep End
- 93-Year-Old Grandfather Travels 40 Hours to Surprise His Grandson on His Wedding Day
- Trapped in a Burning Car, She Honked for Help, and a Brave Officer Saved Her Life
- Texas City Offers Something Special and Heartwarming With Their 'Grandma Stand'
- At 100, Wisconsin Navy Veteran Founded a Church and Still Serves as a Crossing Guard
- New York Police Officer Reunites With Woman He Helped on a Cold Winter Day
- When They Feared Losing Their Newborn, They Prayed for a Miracle, Then He Pulled Through
- Family Battling Daughter’s Rare Illness Gets the Perfect Secret Santa Surprise
- When a Loyal Customer Didn’t Show Up, This Chef Followed His Heart and Saved Him
- When a Comment Hits Deeper Than Expected
- 67-Year-Old California Man Saves His Family From Fire After Jumping From 2nd Floor Window
- Hiker is Rescued at Utah's Arches National Park After Getting Stuck in Quicksand
- 2,397 Golden Retrievers Gather Together in Buenos Aires and It's Way Too Cute
- Dog is Found and Rescued After Running Away From California Airbnb
- Young Boy Was Only 5 Years Old When He Started a Christmas Card Campaign For Veterans
- California Family Launches Pizzeria to Help Their Daughter With Special Needs Thrive
- Gary Sinise on Giving Gold Star Families Hope Through ‘Snowball Express'
- Off-Duty Paramedic Jumps in and Saves 7-Year-Old Girl After Her House Catches On Fire
- Three Virginia First Graders Save Their Teacher After She Started Choking On Her Food
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul

Universal Music Group Women Who Worship - Thank You Jesus For The Blood

toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video

chris rupp When the Saints Go Marching In - Chris Rupp A cappella ft. Deke Sharon and Jeff Thacher
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.









