When Rebecca Van Schepen arrived at the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) one morning in early June, she immediately noticed someone huddled by the front door.
Initially puzzled, she approached closer and soon recognized the anxious yet hopeful expression of a dog urgently needing assistance.
This dog, who was later named Cowboy, was curled up on an empty Amazon delivery bag. When he tried to stand up and greet Van Schepen, it became clear his leg was seriously injured.
Security camera recordings revealed that Cowboy had been abandoned around 7:30 p.m. the previous evening. By the time Van Schepen found him at 7 a.m., Cowboy had waited patiently for over 11 hours, never leaving the delivery bag.
“He didn’t budge from the Amazon bag all night,” shared Ally Duncan, the PR and marketing coordinator at KHS. “Despite his injuries, he greeted Rebecca with hopeful eyes and immediately tried to climb into her lap.”
Facing a Difficult Situation
Even though Cowboy was clearly suffering from severe pain, he was gentle and grateful, expressing his appreciation to his rescuers.
Sadly, his leg could not be saved, prompting the veterinary team to perform an emergency amputation. Staff members worried about his adjustment, but Cowboy displayed remarkable strength and resilience.
“After surgery, Cowboy was placed on cage rest to heal,” Duncan said. “His mood improved almost instantly. He adapted wonderfully to life on three legs.”
Cowboy’s Inspiring Recovery and Adoption
Throughout his recovery, Cowboy enjoyed every moment of affection and care from the KHS team. His cheerful and loving personality won over everyone he met, making it hard to believe how quickly he bounced back from his ordeal.
“Cowboy is loving, playful, and incredibly friendly,” Duncan described. “He spent his time cuddling and showering staff with affection, spreading happiness wherever he went.”
Cowboy eventually found his forever family and now enjoys a loving home. His adoptive family can’t imagine their lives without him, grateful to have found such a perfect match.
“His new family told us, ‘He fits into our lives like the missing piece of a puzzle,’” Duncan shared. “We’re incredibly happy we could help Cowboy find the life he deserves.”