This frail puppy was running out of time when fate stepped in. On a quiet wooded road near Elin Pelin, Bulgaria, Stilyana Gerova’s car broke down. As she pulled over to change a tire, she noticed a thin puppy struggling nearby with something brown tangled around his neck. The dog had been scavenging for food and became trapped in a discarded KFC bag.
“He was only skin and bones — very hungry and afraid,” Gerova said. As an animal rights activist and founder of the rescue Breed Love Bulgaria, she immediately stepped in, freed the puppy, and brought him to safety. Sadly, abandonment like this is common in Bulgaria, where unwanted dogs are often left behind.
The puppy, later named Zaki, began to thrive at the rescue among hundreds of other animals. Now about a year old, Zaki is friendly, playful, loves walks, and enjoys cuddles. He does well with dogs, is learning to trust cats, and simply needs a loving home. A flat tire ended up saving his life.