From Barely Surviving to Finally Safe: Tad’s Fight for a Future

When Tad Arthur arrived at Ruff Start Rescue this past Saturday, we could hardly believe he had survived this long. 💔

A German Shepherd/Hound mix from one of our reservation partners, Tad was first estimated to be just 5 months old, but his paperwork reveals he’s closer to 18 months. And yet… he weighs only 25 pounds. For a dog his age and breed, it’s heartbreaking.
Tad is emaciated, severely mangey, and covered in open sores. His body is raw—painfully so. He doesn’t have a single healthy patch of fur, and his eyes are tired in a way no young dog’s should be.

It’s clear: Tad has been through unimaginable hardship. Likely forced to fight for every bite of food, every moment of shelter. And still, he holds on.
He’s showing signs of food guarding and reactivity, but who could blame him?
His skin is cracked and raw, still, he leans in for gentle pets and soft words.
He is physically broken, but emotionally? Still trying.

His foster sings him “You Are My Sunshine” as she gently applies ointments and feeds him small meals every few hours. And Tad? Tad howls back in that unmistakable hound voice. He nestles into the puppy couch and offers his belly for rubs.
This is the most medically and emotionally complex dog his foster has ever taken on. And yet, she says: “We are committed to this boy.”

Now, we’re asking for your commitment, too.
We need help covering Tad’s care—vet visits, skin treatments, medications, food, and long-term rehabilitation.

We need fosters for the next dog who comes in like Tad.
We need donations to give dogs like him a real second chance.
And we need your voice—share his story and help us find the support he deserves.
Tad Arthur shouldn't have survived—but he did. And now we’re going to make sure he thrives.