From Roadside to Riding Shotgun: Puppy Rescued by Truck Driver Gets a Second Chance
Natalina, as the dog was named, doesn’t have to be scared anymore, because she is now in a loving and responsible home.
By Gabriele Tancredo Stella in Dogs
Leandro Dhiow, a truck driver for 12 years, was driving through Paraná, Brazil, when he saw a malnourished puppy in the middle of the road who needed help.
He almost ran over the tiny two-month-old puppy, but thanks to his quick reflexes, he managed to avoid her.
But that’s not all!
Leandro didn’t ignore the situation. He pulled over and went to rescue the puppy.
The rescue video was shared on December 28 on Leandro’s TikTok profile, which has over 136,000 followers.
“If you look closely at the video, you’ll see a big skid mark on the road. That’s from braking hard so I wouldn’t hit her” Leandro told Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian pet news website).
Scared, when Leandro tried to get the puppy, she defended herself by biting him. He didn’t back down—and still rescued her.
Holding her in the truck’s cab, he took her to the nearest vet for a check-up.
“She’s taking medication for anemia,” he said.
Natalina, as the dog was named, doesn’t have to be scared anymore, because she is now in a loving and responsible home.
No, Leandro didn’t put her up for adoption—he adopted her himself!
No doubt Leandro now has the cutest travel companion, right?
The post has garnered over 243,000 views, 26,000 reactions and thousands of comments.
“May God bless you,” one user wrote.
“Your life will be amazing! Congrats,” another added.
“This man has my utmost respect, seriously”, said a third.
Check out the video:
Love For Animals
Leandro revealed that this wasn’t his first rescue on the road, in fact, it was his sixth—five cats and now Natalina.
Of the six rescued, he donated three and adopted the other three, including Natalina.
“The rescues happen naturally. Sometimes we are on the road or I am at a gas station and there’s an animal there.”
Baianinha was a rescue case from a gas station. Leandro had parked his truck to buy some water when he saw the cat crying and weak.
The dog had been there for two days. He rescued her right away. “Today she has a home. She’s doing great—she plays and has fun,” Leandro said.
Watch Baianinha’s rescue:
“I do these rescues from the heart. Because I don’t have financial support from anyone,” he said. “Thank God I’m growing on social media, encouraging other people to do the same.”
In October, while driving on a highway in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Leandro spotted another kitten by the roadside—and stopped to rescue it.
This one stayed with him and accompanied him during his travels.
Leandro’s attitude inspires and shows that kindness and compassion can emerge in the most unexpected places. It reminds us how important it is to help those in need—no matter where we are.
To follow Leandro on social media, click here.
