Every now and then, an animal rescue story takes my breath away. Oliviero’s is one such tale.

Please note that this story contains some graphic details which might be distressing to some readers.

Two women were walking in Messina, southern Italy, when they stumbled upon a trash bag lying in a dry riverbed. They heard whimpers coming from the bag and went to investigate. What they found shocked and horrified them.

Inside the bag was a dog, bound with electric cord, and discarded along the Terme Vigliatore river. To add to the horror, a dead calf lay rotting nearby.

Animal rescue volunteer Linda Li was called to the scene. She saw that the young dog was in critical condition, covered with ticks and fly larvae, and suffering from shock and dehydration.

“The insects had been eating [him] alive,” Linda said. His rescuers gave him water and quickly transported him to a vet.

Here is a video of when he was first discovered:

Oliviero was so grateful to be rescued that he wagged his tail whenever he was given attention. Vets determined that he was paralyzed in his hind legs due to an unknown trauma.

Here’s another video of Oliviero resting and enjoying some attention while recovering:

A year has passed since his rescue, and Oliviero has found a loving home with Dominique Mastroianni.

He is now enjoying his new life, with doggie siblings to play with and a family who loves to cuddle with him.

Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe he was once so close to death.

Oliviero has come a long way, showing a remarkable will to live. He has a wonderful new family who he loves with all his heart!