DENVER — A Denver couple has given a new lease on life to an abused and abandoned dog.
Someone dumped the deaf and blind pup in a Denver trashcan, according to a post on NextDoor. But she's on the road to recovery thanks to two guardian angels.
"I've just kind of fallen in love with her," said Ed Baker. "I can't help it."
Thanks to her new parents, she'll never be afraid again.
"Every animal deserves to live in peace and comfort," said Nick Hardgrove, Baker's husband.
Last Saturday, the couple saw the NextDoor post about the injured Shih Tzu found near 28th and Lafayette. Minutes later, the couple brought the dog home.
"We brought her home, gave her a bath and gave her some food and water and let her sniff around," said Hardgrove.
Baker named the dog "Marge." He immediately posted pictures of her online, asking if anyone knew where she came from. But no one responded.
Baker said Marge had obviously been through trauma, but after a few days, she stopped shaking and started trusting her new family.
"It makes me feel happy. I'm just glad she has a good home," he said.
The couple said Marge is about 10 years old.
They realized quickly she couldn't see or hear and was having trouble walking. They're not sure what happened to the pup, but they say nothing justifies what Marge has been through.
"If somebody did not want to go through the challenges of taking care of her, there are so many other options," said Hardgrove. "A trashcan is not where you put a living creature. period."
Unless someone steps forward, the couple plans on keeping Marge. They'll do whatever it takes to make her feel safe and welcome.
"They take care of us in a lot of ways," said Hardgrove. "There's no reason we can't reciprocate."
Hardgrove and Baker say the dog may need to have surgery on her hips, and some dental work.
They've set up a GoFundMe page for people to help out.