'Badly' Injured Dog Still Wagging His Tail When Rescuers Arrive To Help Him

A dog has won the hearts of thousands of internet users after being found covered in porcupine quills yet showing nothing but love for his rescuers.

Brutus was discovered by rescue organization Paws Up Program (PUP) with dozens of the needle-like hairs embedded in his face.

He had clearly been in a tussle with a porcupine, a large rodent covered in up to 30,000 protective quills which attach to any prospective predator and can dig deeper into the skin once hooked on.

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They can become more anchored in the skin the longer they are there, and can even travel to vital organs or cause infections, according to Preventive Vet.

It meant time was of the essence for the injured dog, who was at risk of losing an eye to the quills.

Duncan Bard of PUP told Newsweek that the charity, based in Edmonton, Alberta, was called to help "badly quilled" Brutus as his owners were "unable to afford the veterinary costs required."

Brutus was so badly quilled you could barely see his face behind the pins. He still gave a happy tail wag as he allowed rescuers to help him. Brutus was so badly quilled you could barely see his face behind the pins. He still gave a happy tail wag as he allowed rescuers to help him. TikTok @pawsupprogram

When rescuers went to the dog's aid, despite the enormous pain he must have been in, Brutus simply lay down and wagged his tail, seemingly knowing they were there to help.

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A TikTok post to their account @pawsupprogram on August 9 shared the moment Brutus saw the rescuers and happily greeted them. The text over the video said: "Tail still wagging and excited to see me. He knows he is going to get help."

The group added in the caption: "No words. This one was hard to see. This sweet boy is resilient."

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TikTok users responded in their droves, with the video racking up 151,000 likes and over 8,000 comments. One viewer wrote: "Oh poor baby. Does the porcupine have any quills left?"

"Omg! Poor guy," another said. That porcupine gave him his all!"

And one posted the lighthearted comment: "the Dogupine is a rare dog breed not often seen."

A picture of Brutus, who was found covered in porcupine quills. He is suffering from an eye infection but is recovering in foster care and will be up for adoption once he is ready. A picture of Brutus, who was found covered in porcupine quills. He is suffering from an eye infection but is recovering in foster care and will be up for adoption once he is ready. TikTok @pawsupprogram

After a long process, the black dog has "since had all the quills removed and is recovering in our foster care program," Bard said.

He added that although Brutus suffered an infection "around and behind his left eye," the "eyeball itself wasn't damaged" and the dog is expected to make a full recovery.

Brutus will be looking for a loving new forever home as soon as he is fully recovered and medically cleared.

Bard also explained that PUP works to improve animal health and welfare in Indigenous communities while respecting their cultural practices and traditions, while also offering education, support and resources and "removing oppressive systemic barriers."

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