Man Rescues Old And Abused Dog No One Else Wanted

Meet Engelbert and his unusual family! Engelbert’s adoption story is quite wonderful and so is the home he ended up in. Engelbert was in a shelter when his father, Steve, first noticed him. Steve went to the shelter to get another dog, but that dog had already been adopted, so he went around the facility again and saw Engelbert.

Engelbert had a long list of health problems, but Steve knew that if he didn’t take him, no one else would.

“If you don’t know his story, he was abused by his previous owner and taken by the shelter,” Steve writes of Engelbert. “He’d been kept as an outside dog all winter.” He had frostbite on both ears, which had to be removed, and he suffers from neurological issues. His back legs don’t work properly, but he’s a mighty little dog. This dog gives a lot of love. I’ll catch him just staring at me, as if he can’t believe his luck. “I share your sentiments.”

Engelbert arrived at his new home and was welcomed into the family of 6 dogs, one pig, cat, rabbit and other animals. Plus one person.

All of Steve’s animals are rescues, and as you can see from the photos, they are all adorably loving and get along.

ENGELBERT’S DAD SMILES TO HIMSELF WHEN PEOPLE ASK HIM WHY HE’S NOT MARRIED. HE COMMENTS, “I SHOULD JUST SHOW THEM THIS PICTURE,” HE COMMENTS. MIND YOU, TWO OF THE DOGS ARE NOT HIS. HE WAS DOG SITTING AT THE TIME. STILL… THAT IS A LARGE PACK!

THIS IS HOW ENGLEBERT LIKES TO BE CARRIED.

ISN’T ENGELBERT ADORABLE? AS STEVE SAYS, YOU CAN FIND AN ENGLEBERT OF YOUR OWN WAITING FOR YOU AT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER.

ONE OF ENGELBERT’S FRIENDS IS PHYLLIS. PHYLLIS HAS BEEN BLIND FOR A VERY LONG TIME. “BUT SHE DEFINITELY SEES THAT SHE IS LOVED.”

THIS IS EDNA. SHE’S A 12-YEAR-OLD BICHON MIX THAT HER OWNERS GAVE UP BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T HAVE TIME FOR HER. “SHE HAS A COUPLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS BUT THEY ARE COMPLETELY TREATABLE. A WEEK BEFORE THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN SHE WAS ON A CEMENT FLOOR, IN A CAGE, IN A SHELTER,” STEVE SAYS. “SHE WOULDN’T EVEN LOOK UP. I WAS AWARE OF HER SITUATION… AND I’D BEEN WATCHING, HOPEING THAT SOMEONE WOULD ADOPT HER, BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. SHE NOW RESIDES WITH ME. SHE’S A FANTASTIC DOG.”

THE DOGS DON’T MIND POSING FOR PICTURES FOR THEIR DAD. “I DON’T KNOW. I FOUND A LOT OF EMPTY POTS. A GROUP OF LITTLE DOGS WAS RUNNING AROUND. “ONE THING CAUSED ANOTHER.”

BIKINI THE PIG ISN’T ALWAYS AS COOPERATIVE THOUGH. BIKINI WAS ANGRY AT DAD WHEN HE LEFT FOR VACATION WITHOUT HER AND DECIDED NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY REUNION PHOTO. SHE WAS OKAY AGAIN WHEN SNACK TIME CAME.

WITH ALL THE ANIMALS IN THE HOUSE, FINDING A COMFY SPOT TO RELAX CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND AN UNOCCUPIED DOG BED. THAT’S WHY EEYORE CREATES HIS OWN ENOCH.

STUART AND BIKINI GET FIRST DIBS ON THE FAVORITE CHAIR IN THE HOUSE. “I CANNOT EVEN START TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS AND HUMANS WHO HAVE SAT ON THIS CHAIR. I have the least aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture. NO FANCY DESIGNER, NO CLEAN LINES, AND THE MATERIAL IS…DURABLE. BUT NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, 1 BY 1, WE ALL END UP HERE.”

THEIR DAD DOESN’T KNOW WHAT ENGELBERT AND ENOCH ARE DISCUSSING, “BUT THEY SEEM TO BE IN AGREEMENT” WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO CARRY A 5 LB CHIHUAHUA (ENGELBERT) AND A FAT LITTLE RABBIT (STUART)?

ENGLEBERT AND PHYLLIS PUT ON THEIR BATH TIME FACES. “THE DESPERATION AND RESIGNATION OF BATH TIME,” SAYS THEIR DAD.

STEVE WRITES, “LIKE A GOOD WAITER I’VE LEARNED TO CARRY MORE AND MAKE FEWER TRIPS.”

ENGLEBERT, LORETTA, EEYORE, EDNA, MADELINE, HERCULES (VISITING) IGNATIUS, PHYLLIS, AND ENOCH KNOW HOW TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN STYLE.

EDNA, ENGLEBERT, EEYORE, LORETTA, AND STUART THE RABBIT HANG OUT TOGETHER A LOT. “DON’T SEEM TO KNOW HE’S A RABBIT, AND THEY DON’T SEEM TO KNOW HE’S A RABBIT, SO IT WORKS OUT WELL,” STUART says.

ENOCH GETS LOVED ON BY BIKINI AND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT.

ENGLEBERT IS ALWAYS PREPARED FOR GOING OUT.

LIKE THE TIME HIS DAD SNUCK HIM INTO WHOLE FOODS.

LORETTA AND ENOCH LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER. THEY HATE THE LEAF BLOWER, AND EVEN THOUGH DAD WAS NOT USING IT FOR HALF AN HOUR, THEY WEREN’T TAKING ANY CHANCE.

ENGLEBERT AND EEYORE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER TOO. “I CONSIDER THEM TO BE WAR BUDDIES. “EVERYONE HAS SURVIVED THE BATTLES LEADING UP TO AND WITHIN THE SHELTERS IN THEIR OWN WAY,” WRITES STEVE. “I BELIEVE IT HELPS BOND THE ANIMALS I HAVE RESCUED.” THEY REMEMBER, THEY KNOW, AND THEY LIVE ON.”

STUART IS COMFORTABLE HANGING OUT WITH THE PACK. WHETHER IT’S “ON THE COUCH WATCHING A MOVIE WITH THE DOGS” OR “RUNNING AROUND THE YARD WITH SOME OLD CHICKENS.”

LORETTA, EEYORE AND ENGLEBERT GET A COOL DUFFEL BAG TO TRAVEL IN. BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY USE THEIR OWN FOUR LEGS.

FAMILY TIME INCLUDES GOING FOR WALKS AND TIME OUTDOORS TOGETHER.

What an awesome pack! As to why Steve got involved with caring for so many animals, he offered this insight when he commented on one of his Instagram photos. “I never realized you could have a measurable connection with a rabbit, chickens, pigeon, or pig when I was younger.” But as I grew older, I took my time and let those things happen. My life has improved.”

Share Engelbert and the gang with your friends and family!