A German Shepherd named Nikki, who was spotted alone in the rain clutching a stuffed toy, has been rescued by two nonprofits.
The non-profit organizations Almost Home Animal Rescue and South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery caught Nikki and are now helping her get the medical care she needs.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Gail Montgomery, the co-founder of Almost Home Animal Rescue, said she received private messages and photos of Nikki wandering the streets of downtown Detroit while it was raining.
Montgomery described seeing photos of Nikki clutching her stuffed toy in the pouring rain as “Heartbreaking and heartbreaking.”
And to add to the heartbreaking photos of Nikki, Montgomery learned that the German Shepherd had been alone for months due to the death of his owner.
Montgomery then contacted the South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery to help find and catch Nikki.
And after Nikki “I had a day” on May 2, the non-profit organizations took her to the vet and received terrible news.
According to South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery, “Nikki is heartworm positive. This is terrible news because it is a very expensive treatment. She is not sterilized. She has never taken a bath a day in her life and she has a double ear infection.
However, after Almost Home Animal Rescue found a foster family for Nikki, her treatment continued. And in a Facebook post update, Almost Home said that Nikki is “with the best adoptive couple ever.”
As Nikki had to survive on her own for months, she had to eat whatever was available. And that caused internal problems. According to Montgomery, “They found plastic bags, twigs and bones in his stomach.”
Nikki has been to two vets so far and has undergone a series of tests and blood work.
Fortunately, Nikki’s road to recovery is going well thanks to her continued treatment and the wonderful support she receives from her adoptive parents and everyone around her.
Montgomery reveals that Nikki no longer needs her stuffed toy and is cuddling with her adoptive parents.
“She still sleeps on it, but she’s not obsessed with it like she’s in Detroit when she’s walking around,” Montgomery added.
If you would like to donate to Nikki’s treatment or help other animals in need, you can send your donations to Almost Home Animal Rescue and South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery.