As Mathieu Letourneau and Guillaume Lefevre drove along a road, they spotted a creature they couldn’t quite identify—perhaps a coyote, a wolf, or maybe even a dog.
But unlike others who merely passed by, they decided to stop and investigate.
“When we turned around, we found a dog that seemed to have given up hope, barely moving,” Letourneau recalled. “It was starving and in desperate need of warmth.”
Approaching the animal, which they later named Willow, the two men offered her the only food they had—a Subway sandwich. The hungry dog devoured it right from their hands, indicating how neglected and unloved she had been.
Willow, a Siberian husky, was in poor condition with tangled fur and dirt smeared all over her. She appeared as though she had endured a lifetime outside, and as Lefevre observed, it seemed she had been in a fight.
They are now considering bringing animal cruelty charges against the owner under both the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
“She was very fragile, couldn’t stand properly when she first arrived,” noted Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s senior animal protection officer.
Interestingly, shortly before finding Willow, Letourneau shared his interest in adopting a rescue dog. Having recently moved to a pet-friendly home, he was particularly keen on having a husky. It seemed like fate that led him to Willow.
Letourneau is now discussing the possibility of adopting Willow from the BC SPCA, though her recovery must come first. He and Lefevre feel fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time.
They rarely traveled to Maple Ridge, where they found Willow. “We’re glad we gave her a second chance,” reflected Lefevre.
If he does adopt her, Letourneau envisions a future filled with camping trips, hiking, and days by the lake for Willow. Whistler, where Letourneau lives, he describes as “a paradise for dogs,” and he hopes Willow will soon enjoy this little slice of heaven.
After spending some time in a foster home, Willow finally found her forever home last March. Her new owner, Dawn, reports that Willow is thriving.
She’s gained weight, her coat has regrown, and she enjoys a raw diet suitable for her sensitive stomach.
Dawn describes Willow as a sweet-natured dog who loves her stuffed toys, family time, and leisurely walks, proving that happy endings aren’t just for fairy tales.
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<p>It later emerged that Willow wasn’t a stray. She belonged to a university student in his twenties living in Coquitlam. The BC SPCA got involved after a neighbor recognized Willow from media coverage and tipped them off.</p>
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<p>When Willow was found on January 31, she weighed only 15 kilograms, whereas a healthy dog of her breed and age should weigh around 24 kilograms.</p>
<p>The BC SPCA suggested she may not have survived another day. Fortunately, with therapy and care, she is on the road to recovery.</p>
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