Bali is truly one of the most breathtaking islands in the Indonesian archipelago, but stunning as it is, the province does have issues when it comes to stray dogs. In fact, it is extremely common to come across stray animals while walking around Bali's towns and villages.

However, since Hinduism is widespread in Bali, there’s a common belief that taking care of or adopting dogs is a means of paving one’s way to heaven. With that in mind, we shall explore a heartwarming rescue story of a street Husky; sore-ridden and starving, who encountered a gentle soul in a man named Rico Soegiarto.

There's Hope In Neglect and Abandonment!

On the streets of Denpasar, Bali was an abandoned dog left to fend for herself; fighting for her life even though it didn’t seem like her ill-fated state could be overcome. She was badly in need of some sort of animal care, but no one was willing to give it to her.

Looking at her from this perspective, you won’t even be able to tell that she is actually a Siberian Husky. They are the kind of dogs that are usually described as good-natured and affectionate. However, this dog had nobody to share her affections with. But soon, she would find hope.

The Man Who Bothered To Care

This man is Rico Soegiarto, an Indonesian chap in his 20s who often passed by the streets of Denpasar. Somehow, fate decided that he and the desolate Siberian Husky should cross paths. When they did, something magical ensued.

Rico had his first encounter with the pup on an evening while he was on his way home from his job. He saw how much suffering this creature was experiencing and so, despite her unrecognizable exterior–caused by her excessive hair loss that led to bald spots–, Rico knew what he needed to do.

Rico Reminds Us of Yudhishthira

You might already have a clue about what Rico’s thought process was like when he saw the poor pup. But before we continue with the story, we just want to say that Rico reminds us of a significant figure in Hinduism; Yudhishthira, the king who is believed to have ascended into the heavens with his stray dog.

As we have mentioned, the Hindu belief is very much prevalent in Bali. And so, you will often see dog shelters and residents taking the initiative to give unfortunate, lost canines the best life that they can possibly have because of their faith in Yudhishthira.

Taken Home by A Dog-Lover

We now carry on with our tale, and you guessed right; Rico took the neglected Siberian Husky home! He just couldn’t stand to see the pooch suffering anymore. Instead of just going to buy a puppy for himself, the Indonesian dog-lover decided to give this street dog his utmost love and care.

Although dogs from Bali can be semi-feral and challenging to train, acts of kindness towards them will most certainly be rewarded with an unparalleled faithfulness, similar to the bond exemplified by the Hindu King Yudhishthira and his companion. Besides, we can all agree on the fact that there are way too many canines existing all alone, by the wayside.

Making the Most Out of Her Remaining Years

This beautiful dog has suffered for far too long, and on top of that, she looked like she didn’t have a lot of time left to live. Sadly, the life expectancy of a street dog, averages between 1-4 years, contingent to the region. This is sad because Siberian Huskies are known to live for as long as 12 to 15 years.

The pooch was so thin you could actually see her bones through her diseased skin–which her baldness drew attention to. Clearly, this young Husky was suffering from severe malnutrition, and due to her deterioration, she could hardly stand up properly.

Brilliant Blue Eyes That Look Right Through You

In spite of her dejected condition, this dog’s dazzling blue eyes stood out brightly. It’s one attribute that not all canines have. Siberian Huskies are definitely unlike golden retrievers or miniature schnauzers; although these three all have the wolf as a common ancestor.

Scientists from Cornell University along with the dog DNA analysis company called Embark Veterinary, Inc. recently worked together, and they discovered why huskies have blue eyes. They found out that a genetic mutation close to a gene identified as ALX4 is strongly linked to why Siberian huskies have blue eyes. That said, Rico definitely found a unique companion!

 Deserving of A Second Chance

Even without all the scientific findings and education on canine ancestry, Rico still knew deep down that he had to give this unloved young dog a second chance in life. Everybody deserves to be given one, and the chap decided that, like us human beings, this pup is worthy of second chances.

So, Soegiarto got down to cleaning up the pooch as best as he could and then proceeded to give her medication for her wounds to properly heal. He also started the intensive labor of love that included trimming her fur and getting rid of the fleas.

 What Makes This Dog Special?

Bali dogs are heralded as the country’s emblem of tradition. You don’t need a degree to know that these pups are probably the oldest breeds on earth. The significance of this species has given rise to its change of name, now being referred to as the "Bali Heritage Dog".

However, what Rico found is a Husky, which is said to be one of the world's oldest man-made pedigrees. They are also known to have the essence of a Bali dog. But if you ask Rico what makes his pup special, he’ll possibly tell you that he doesn’t exactly know why.

A Pulse of the Heart and Feeling

All that Rico knows is that his choice was strongly influenced by what he felt in his heart. When he found her in the middle of the street, he felt deep down that this dog was meant to be in his life. If you’ve ever adopted a dog, you know the feeling of seeing that special pup that tugs at your heartstrings.

Adoption is one way of saving lives because a lot of homeless dogs are euthanized in the United States alone, simply because so many of them come into shelters when only a small number of people actually consider welcoming a pet into their home.

Good Food For A Good Girl

In order to make sure that her fur and skin would heal to its optimum state, Rico ensured that his dog was properly groomed. Another thing that became part of her itinerary were visits to the vet. She was finally receiving the care and nurture that she has long been craving for.

In addition to being groomed like royalty, the rescued pup was getting plenty of good food too! It’s always nice to see our pets eating the meals we prepare for them, gobbling it up until there’s not a bit left. It must have warmed Rico's heart so much to behold his newfound companion's appetite.

Health Restoration: Ongoing!

Although it took several months, the canine finally had an astounding transformation. Rico was able to cautiously nurse the Husky back to her optimal health. With time, all his hard work paid off. Undoubtedly, her regular and healthy meals paired with a loving environment was the best remedy.

Slowly, her fur grew back, and her wounds began to heal until no scratch was left. As you can see in the photo above, she now wears a collar, which is a sweet way of showing that this dog now has a home and will no longer be subjected to the harshness of living on the street.

 This Is What She Looks Like Now!

Day by day, the dog came nearer to resembling its true form. Until one day, she actually looked like what she was–a Siberian Husky. Not only that, she’s become this strong and healthy canine with a furry, lustrous coat. But of course, she still retained her icy blue eyes.

Among all the changes, one thing was also clear, her mischievous, charming aura was now present, along with her playful nature; some traits that the Siberian Husky is well-known for having. Not many realize, but an animal’s mental health is also important, and this change in behavior was a clear sign of this husky having the time of her life.

She Adores Rico, Her Rescuer

Animals can give us unconditional love, but apart from that, they have been proven to benefit the emotional, psychological, and physical well-being of their companions. Taking care of a pet can give a sense of purpose and fulfillment to someone and diminish feelings of being alone.

Additionally, adopted animals can also express a lot of love and gratitude towards those who choose to take care of them. So, clearly, Rico’s Husky adores him. According to Rico, she loves eating cookies. Perhaps he would prepare this as a tasty treat to help his new friend feel at home.

Her Name Is...

So, what did Rico name his miracle pup that survived so much suffering? Well, he decided to give her the name, Hope; an aptly fitting word describing the embodiment of her life. Whoever would encounter this pooch’s tale would definitely be uplifted by her resilience and courage.

We have to say, the extent of love that Hope received would make her the perfect therapy dog; a dog trained to give comfort to those in need of a bit of... hope. We're sure this story has inspired others to follow in Rico's footsteps all across the world and open their hearts to receive an ailing dog who just needs to be cared for.

Simply A Part of the Family

Since the beautiful Hope entered Rico’s life, he has found his family one member bigger than it used to be. The thing is, Rico actually owns four other dogs in his humble home. This is also the first time that we are mentioning anything about the kind-hearted man’s love life.

Soegiarto actually has a girlfriend, who was very supportive of his decision to rescue Hope and add her to their growing family. So even if Rico doesn’t live in a cool mansion up in the hills, all the love in his abode is enough to make it the perfect dwelling.

Results Worth Sharing

The Warm Reception To A Heartwarming Story

Soegiarto didn’t expect his post to blow up in a matter of days. In fact, only a week had passed when it went viral all over the world of Social Media. It was like persons were in awe at his kindness and they were enthralled by Hope's miraculous transformation.

The images Rico took became widely shared on the internet. To be more precise, they received over 88,000 shares, and around 12,000 comments, left by netizens as well. They couldn't help but shower Rico with praises for saving Hope’s life.

There Are Still Real Worries

You can see in Hope’s gorgeous eyes that she has pure delight and love for Rico as she is seated on his lap while this picture was being taken. Even her mouth is showing a huge smile that can only come from true happiness. We almost can't believe this is the same dog we were speaking of earlier.

However, there is one downside to her health and energy coming back. Hope has become so sociable that Rico has gotten himself worried over it. It really isn’t his pet that Rico is feeling fretful about; it’s the many thieves that are present in Bali.

Safe With Her Human and Her Newfound Family

We understand Soegiarto's concern but he really doesn’t have anything to be anxious about. Hope now has four other siblings who she can always play with when she's not being pampered by Rico. Aside from that, she also has a new mom in her rescuer’s girlfriend.

Most importantly, we trust that Rico, as an animal lover, would never let anything bad happen to Hope again. The dog has gone through so much already, and parting ways with the one who saved her is something that she would never desire to do.

Kind Hearts Still Exist!

Thank heavens for good-natured people like Rico Soegiarto who encountered a neglected dog and chose to treat and introduce her to the life she deserved; instead of leaving her behind on the streets of Denpasar. There really is hope amidst neglect and abandonment.

If you’re also an advocate of animal rights and protection like Rico and you’re looking to have a companion, one that will love you with all their heart, we suggest you consider visiting your local animal shelter for stray animals or those rescued from the streets. You might just find your very own Hope!