The internet recently rallied around a heartwarming story of a malnourished German shepherd found begging for food outside a restaurant. Thanks to a compassionate individual, this pup, now named Lanning, has found a loving forever home and a new lease on life.
Joanna Quinn, a 43-year-old from McAllen, Texas, spotted the scruffy dog wandering aimlessly in a restaurant parking lot. Recognizing her distress, Quinn noticed that other bystanders were ignoring the pleading pup. “She looked like she was searching for food,” Quinn recalled.
Determined to help, Quinn took Lanning home after restaurant staff fed her. “We couldn’t leave her there,” she said. Lanning was taken to the vet, where she was estimated to be between 3 and 4 years old and found to be around 20 pounds underweight. Thankfully, tests showed no major diseases, although she had a leg injury and significant skin issues.
Since the rescue, Lanning has adapted well to her new home. Quinn is dedicated to giving her the loving life she deserves, promising that Lanning will only experience love and happiness moving forward.
Quinn shared their rescue story on TikTok (@iminlovewiththe_jojo), capturing the emotional moment that has resonated with many viewers. The video read, “She was hungry. She was tired. She was sad. She was defeated,” and has since amassed over 275,500 views.
Quinn hopes Lanning’s story will encourage others to take action on behalf of pets in need. “Compassion for animals goes a long way,” she said. She advocates for raising awareness about the neglect many animals face and emphasizes that people should adopt pets instead of supporting breeders.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, around 6.3 million animals enter U.S. shelters each year, including 3.1 million dogs, highlighting a growing crisis.
Quinn suggests spaying and neutering pets as an effective way to reduce the stray population. She urges anyone who encounters an animal in distress to step up and help, rather than look away.
The viral TikTok video has generated more than 1,700 comments, filled with praise for Quinn’s kindness and astonishment at how such a situation could occur. One commenter expressed, “Thank you for not ignoring her and saving her. God bless you.”
Through this story, Quinn not only provided hope for Lanning but also sparked important conversations about the treatment of animals everywhere.
