German shepherd spotted alone in the rain in Detroit clutching is rescued with her toy

By Harriet Johnston For Mailonline Published: 03:18 EST, 17 May 2023 | Updated: 03:31 EST, 17 May 2023

A German shepherd who was spotted alone in the rain clutching onto a stuffed toy has been rescued.Heartbreaking pictures of Nikki walking through the downpour holding a cuddly animal in her mouth began circulating among rescuers in the Metro Detroit area earlier this month.Gail Montgomery, the cofounder of Almost Home Animal Rescue League, was horrified when she began receieving messages about the dog, and quickly reached out to her network to see if she could help.She spoke with South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery, who were able to pick Nikki up off the street, along with her adorable cuddly toy.Nikki was quickly placed into a foster home, with Gail telling People: ‘She doesn’t even need her stuffy anymore. She’s constantly hugging her foster parents. A German shepherd who was spotted alone in the rain clutching onto a stuffed toy has been rescued Heartbreaking pictures of Nikki walking through the downpour holding a cuddly animal in her mouth began circulating among rescues in the Metro Detroit area earlier this month’She still kind of sleeps on it, but she’s not obsessed with it like she was in Detroit when she was walking around.’ The puppy had spent months out on her own in the elements when Gail first heard of her story.She was believed to have been abandoned due to the death of her owner, and was living off the generosity of neighbors and hunting for scraps. Gail first heard of Nikki in May, when she began receieving messages and photographs of the dog walking around the downtown area.She said the dog was ‘totally stressed out’ and her body ‘wasn’t functioning’ due to the trauma of her months on the street. When the pup was picked up from the streets, she was taken to an emergency hospital, where she was treated.Gail explained: ‘Unfortunately, she’s got heartworm disease and other internal problems. They found plastic bags, twigs, and bones in her stomach.’After the treatment, she was placed in a foster home by Almost Home, where she continues to regain her strength. Gail Montgomery spoke with South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery, who were able to pick Nikki up off the street, along with her adorable cuddly toy. The pooch is now eating a diet of chicken and rice, as well as receiving plenty of cuddles from her foster familyShe is now eating a diet of chicken and rice, as well as receiving plenty of cuddles from her foster family.Earlier this year, a rescue dog in Virginia found her forever family just 24 hours after a shelter’s desperate plea that she ‘just needs a chance’ went viral.Sky had been a resident at Stafford County Animal Shelter since November and until this week had not received any inquiries about adoption.The shelter asked the public to help find the three-year-old dog a home in a post on its Facebook page that was re-shared on Twitter.After an overwhelming response, she was adopted by Donna Crowder, who inquired about the dog for her young son Joseph. The family live in Virginia, two hours from the shelter.In the post that went viral, the shelter shared a picture of Sky in her kennel and details of her predicament.The post read: ‘We have posted her multiple times…still nothing. We understand she must be the only dog, but there has to be someone out there who belongs to Sky.’She is a wonderful companion. She does great with all people and loves going for walks with our volunteers. We are confident she will make someone very happy, she just needs a chance.’The post received more than 60,000 shares and almost 5,000 comments.