Stray dogs, fighting to survive on the streets, evoke a tough reality to witness. They are lost without someone to love and care for them.

In the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, there’s a significant issue with stray dogs, a common problem in many cities but particularly prevalent here.

One poignant story from two days before Christmas 2017 stands out. Animal lover Pia received word about a dog running in circles. When she found him, he was emaciated, lying on the ground with no fur and no sparkle in his eyes.

“I cried because I couldn’t believe no one had helped him,” Pia recalled, according to The Dodo.

She rushed him to the vet, though she feared he wouldn’t survive the night. The vet advised waiting a couple of days to see how he fared, needing round-the-clock care.

For the next two days, he couldn’t eat and continued to lose weight, unable to walk due to muscle loss in his legs. Despite her worries, Pia stayed by his side. He fought for his life relentlessly. Pia named him Hercules.

Just when hope seemed lost, he began to eat and fought hard to stand up. He wanted to live. He fought like a true Hercules, finding the strength to carry on. Eventually, he stood up on his own.

From there, things began to improve dramatically. The sparkle returned to his eyes, he grew stronger, and his fur started growing back. This is Hercules today — hardly recognizable from the state Pia found him in. With love and dedication, he was brought back to life.

Thanks to Pia’s loving care, Hercules regained his life. She describes him as a very cuddly dog, as if he’s saying thank you to her.

When he was ready for adoption, Pia couldn’t bear to part with him and decided to keep him.

It’s such a heartwarming story that brings tears to my eyes! SHARE this story to honor this angel and animal hero, Pia! THANK YOU for being you!