Salvatore, a devoted dog, remained steadfast outside a home in Florida for weeks, guarding the empty property where his family had abandoned him. He waited by the door each day, believing his loved ones would return.

Local dog rescuer Gloria Cabal noticed Salvatore’s dedication and knew she had to intervene. For about a month, she tried to lure him with food, water, and treats, but Salvatore, scared and uncertain, refused to leave the yard.

Eventually, when a real estate agent moved Salvatore to a neighboring area in Orange Park, the dog seemed to realize his family wasn’t returning. At this point, he allowed Cabal to take him to Everglades Angels Dog Rescue.

“He was very protective of the yard,” said Dennis Guevara, an employee at Everglades Angels, in an interview with The Dodo. “He guarded it, but not in an aggressive way.”

Once in the care of Everglades Angels, Salvatore quickly warmed up to the kind staff. The team was heartbroken to see how this well-cared-for dog had been abandoned, especially since it was clear that he had once been a beloved pet.

“He’s a volunteer favorite,” Guevara added. “From what we can tell, he grew up in a family.”

Salvatore, who had initially been wary of strangers, became one of the shelter’s most affectionate dogs, often seeking attention and cuddling on the couch.

“He is loved,” Guevara said.

Now, Salvatore is ready for adoption through Everglades Angels, and the staff is confident that he will soon find a new, loving family—one that will never abandon him again.

Thanks to the compassion of those who refused to give up on him, Salvatore is getting a second chance at happiness.

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