Lost For 13 Years, Senior Dog Finally Finds Love Again — Thanks To A Stranger Who Refused To Give Up
Last weekend, a tiny 15-year-old miniature schnauzer was seen hobbling down a busy road in Cape Town, South Africa. His fur was filthy and matted into dreadlocks, his eyes cloudy with cataracts, and his legs stiff from arthritis. Most cars passed him by — but one man stopped.
That man was Tim Shaw, who was on his way to the beach for a surf session when he spotted the little dog dodging between speeding cars.
Without a second thought, Shaw pulled over. He tried to catch the frightened schnauzer, but the dog, too scared and disoriented to trust anyone, snapped at every helping hand. Shaw asked nearby workers if they knew where the dog came from — no one did. Still, they agreed to keep him safe while Shaw rushed home to gather supplies.
Hours later, after countless gentle attempts and a few nips, Shaw finally managed to wrap the trembling pup in a soft nightgown and settle him in a laundry basket for the ride home.
“He was not interested in touch,” Shaw recalled. “So I just started singing to him. Every time he tried to bite, it was a little less vicious. Slowly, he calmed down.”
Once home, the exhausted schnauzer devoured a can of food as Shaw softly spoke to him. He began trimming the filthy, tangled fur that weighed the dog down — and beneath it, he discovered something heartbreaking: a wire tightly wrapped around one of his legs, likely causing years of pain. Shaw carefully removed it and continued grooming.
“When I was done, he walked around — prancing like a little show pony,” Shaw said. “As if he could finally feel his own body again.”
The next day, Shaw took him to the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS). There, veterinarians discovered the old dog’s story — one that stunned everyone.
He had a microchip. His name was Karnallie, and he’d been stolen from his family 13 years ago.
His family had searched desperately for six months before losing hope. Over the years, they adopted other dogs but never forgot Karnallie. Now, heartbreakingly, they could no longer take him back.
Shaw didn’t hesitate for a second.
“He can stay with me,” he said simply.
Karnallie — now renamed Rufus — stayed at AWS for a few days for treatment. He received medication for arthritis, pain relief, and a long-overdue grooming session.
Today, Rufus is finally home again — this time with the man who saved his life. He spends his days resting in the sun, exploring Shaw’s garden, and learning that some humans can be kind.
“He’s the most wonderful little dude,” Shaw said. “He’s been through so much, but he’s home now.”
After 13 long years of fear, hunger, and wandering, Rufus’s story reminds us that it’s never too late for a new beginning — and that love can find you, even on a busy road in Cape Town.