A Boy’s Dad Found Him Feeding Three Stray Puppies. What Came Next Proves That Love Really Can Heal

In February, an eight-year-old boy in the Philippines named Ken started venturing off on walks with his dog. But the boy was so enthusiastic and dedicated to taking these walks that his dad became curious. So one day he came along with the boy.

And this is what he found.

Ken had found a family of strays. The three otherwise good-natured dogs were unhealthy and undernourished — and had bad cases of mange.

Ken made it his business to feed them every day.

At first, the dogs were scared to come within 50 feet of Ken, or any person. He would leave them their food and keep his distance. Eventually, they grew accustomed to Ken and they let him approach.

The two black dogs remained aloof, though they tolerated Ken. The little white one was friendlier, even giving Ken a high five every now and then.

That’s very nice. But it is only the beginning of this story.

Now nine years old, Ken said it was his dream to start an animal shelter that would rescue the many stray dogs and cats that populate the streets in most areas of the Philippines. His dad told hm that was a great idea — but it was also an expensive idea. He said that it might take 20 years before Ken could raise enough money to start his own shelter, where stray animals would be nursed back to health, never euthanized, and placed in good homes.

But then, Ken’s dad posted the photos of the boy feeding the dogs on the internet forum Reddit — and offers of help began rolling in.

“Some very kind people who saw these pictures donated money to help me care for the dogs. We got enough money to get the dogs I was feeding off the street, feed them high quality canned food, and provide them with veterinary care,” said Ken on his blog (edited by Ken’s dad). “They gained a LOT of weight, their open wounds healed, and their fur grew back. They also learned not to be scared of humans.”

Ken has raised enough money to lease a small space to start his Happy Animals Club. So far, the only three residents are the three dogs he found on the street. Check out what they look like today — and next time you hear about the healing power of love, think about these pictures. They prove that it’s true.

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Can you believe that those are the same three dogs seen in the photos above, just three months later?

That black dog, who seems to be the mother, had refused to approach Ken in February.

Ken says his main goal is to rescue dogs from the local pound, where only 20 to 30 percent find homes and the rest are killed. No other animal shelter has stepped forward to take those dogs.

Ken wants to be the first.

Visit the Happy Animals site if you’d like to learn how you can help.