Photo of Beagle Saved From Euthanasia ‘Hugging’ Rescuer in the Car During ‘Freedom Ride’ Goes Viral

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Animal shelters often have to make heartbreaking decisions when it comes to the all-too-common issue of scarce resources. Shelters that lack the funding or support to meet the demands of their local community’s homeless-animal situation need help; for a beagle named Gregory, help arrived in the nick of time.

When Joe and Schenley Kirk of Ohio’s HOUND Rescue and Sanctuary saw the 2-year-old, heartworm-positive beagle on the Franklin County Dog Shelter’s euthanasia list, they knew they had to intervene. They went to the FCDS shelter and collected Gregory, saving his life.

On May 1, 2018, HOUND took to Facebook to share news of their latest rescue. “‘Gregory’ is safe,” they began. “Pulled by HOUND Rescue and Sanctuary! He was on the euthanasia list at FCDS because he is heartworm positive.”

According to The Dodo, the little dog had originally been found running astray in Obetz, Ohio, and was taken in by FCDS on April 25, 2018. However, owing to Gregory’s diagnosis, the shelter was unable to provide the beagle with the expensive treatment he needed; they listed Gregory as a “rescue only” dog.

FCDS appealed to local shelters for help. Thankfully, HOUND responded. The beagle’s taste of freedom began the moment he stepped into Joe Kirk’s car, just two days before he was scheduled to be euthanized.

Joe, knowing how long Gregory had already spent cooped up in a kennel, let him sit on the backseat, where the sweet dog soaked in his brand-new sense of safety and security. “My husband took the day off work to drive to the shelter,” Schenley later explained to The Dodo, “while I stayed home to take care of the other rescue dogs.

“On the way back home, [Joe] decided he was going to take a couple selfies of our new rescue,” Schenley continued. “He sent me three photos, and in the last one, little Gregory had leaned his head over as if to say, ‘You saved my life.’”

In the adorable photo, Gregory is leaning his paw on Joe’s shoulder, tongue lolling out of his mouth in a gesture of true contentment.

Schenley shared the heartwarming “freedom ride” selfie on Facebook, where it resonated with thousands of animal lovers, amassing over 11,000 shares to date. “[Gregory] knows he is in good hands,” Schenley wrote. “We will get him healthy and provide him all the love he so deserves and a wonderful future!”

The Kirks explained that Gregory would be treated by their vet and asked their followers for prayers and blessings for the young pup during his healing process.

HOUND, which stands for Helping Overlooked, Unwanted, Neglected Dogs, did their utmost to find a permanent home for Gregory, describing him as a “loving, affectionate” dog that “loves to give kisses.” Thanks to the adorable beagle’s viral “freedom ride” selfie, it wasn’t long before the perfect family came forward.

On Aug. 12, 2018, Schenley made the announcement. “[I]t could not have been more perfect! Everyone loves each other,” she shared. “Gregory loves his new Beagle Brother ‘Scooter,’ his Beagle Sister ‘Ginger,’ and his new Forever Mom and Dad!

“Thank you so very much to the Thompson family for choosing to adopt,” Schenley posted, reminding the shelter’s loyal following that adoption truly saves life.

What could have been the end of Gregory’s life turned out to be a whole new beginning. “That is why we do what we do,” Schenley told Today. “That is what makes it all worthwhile, knowing that we are able to save the lives of these dogs in need.

“[T]heir appreciation and the love they give back is amazing. There’s nothing better.”