The ground was the only thing I had before Team 600MillionDogs rescued me.

Friend of 600,

My name is Rio.

I was lying on the ground under the scorching sun. 

There was no shade to step into, and my body stayed hot for hours. 

When night came, the heat disappeared fast, and the cold settled in because there was nothing around me to block it.

I stayed in that same spot because moving did not bring food, water, or safety. 

The ground was all I had.

I had no water. 

My mouth felt thick and dry.

I kept barking loudly because I needed help. 

I felt relief when I saw Team 600MillionDogs.

Thankfully, Team 600MillionDogs heard me and came to rescue me.

I did not move away when they approached. 

They placed water in front of me, and I gulped it down. 

Food came next, and I ate it just as fast.

Their hands rested on my head and back, and I stayed still because nothing about them felt threatening.

After that, they took me to a veterinarian.

My body was carefully checked, and they made sure I was stable before moving me to the shelter.

Here at the shelter, the ground is solid and cool beneath me. 

Water is nearby, and food is available.

Today, I do not need to bark to be noticed or stay alert all night.

I do not have to stay awake listening for danger, and my body finally relaxed enough to rest.

Life on the street puts dogs like me at risk every single day. 

Many are never found while they are still strong enough to recover, like I was.

At any given time, there are 600 million stray dogs around the world — 600 million lives filled with unwanted misery.

The best way to end this unwanted misery is to prevent it before it ever starts.

Most dogs like these never get a chance at safety like I did.

At 600MillionDogs, we are developing a Cookie to break the cycle of suffering before it starts. 

A Cookie that will safely spay or neuter a stray dog or cat, and they will only have to eat one cookie, one time! 

With your help, we will end this suffering and make the world a much better place for everyone. 

Please join us.

Thank you very much for helping and for caring.

With hope,

Rio

If you can't donate, you can help by spreading the word — share this email on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or forward it to a friend using the buttons below.

Follow Us:

Out of 1.8 million nonprofits, 600 has been awarded the prestigious Gold seal of Transparency by Candid (formerly known as Guidestar), "the nation's premier nonprofit database." 

*Donations are fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Copyright © 2026 600 Million Stray Dogs Need You, All rights reserved.

R1 CTCT Pilot Pup Series #22 Pilot Pup Rio