By Kevin Smith
It’s a heartbreaking tale that has touched the hearts of many online viewers, as they witnessed a severely abused dog experience one of life’s simple pleasures for the first time—a ‘pup cup’.
Andrea Roubal, a 53-year-old volunteer with Labor of Love Transport Rescue, opened her home to the dog after finding her in a rural neighborhood notorious for being a dumping ground for unwanted dogs in Greenville, South Carolina, as reported by Newsweek.
Despite her devastating scars, which seemed to cover half her face, the dog was named Sugar for her incredibly sweet and affectionate nature. Roubal described Sugar as having bite wound scars all over her neck and head, with her snout misplaced on the side of her face, making it appear as if half of her face had been torn away.
The rescue initially suspected that another dog had caused Sugar’s injuries. Her appearance reminded them of Sammy, a previous rescue who survived dogfighting—a brutal practice where dogs bred and trained to fight are forced into violent battles for entertainment and profit, which is illegal and a felony in all 50 U.S. states.
Sugar’s story underscores the resilience and capacity for love in animals despite unimaginable suffering. It’s a reminder of the ongoing need to combat animal cruelty and provide loving homes for those who have endured such trauma.
Despite the initial suspicion that Sugar’s injuries were due to dogfighting, her veterinarian, who performed her first reconstruction surgery, now believes her devastating wounds were caused by being dragged, possibly by a car or a similar force.
Nevertheless, Sugar continues to show remarkable resilience and a gentle spirit. Described as “the kindest girl, brimming with energy and a love for adventure,” she is on a path to recovery. Once fully healed, the rescue plans to find Sugar the most perfect home where she can thrive and receive the love and care she deserves.
Sugar’s journey to recovery and happiness has touched the hearts of thousands online. In a video shared by Roubal on her @fostermamaforthebroken account, Sugar delighted viewers as she savored her first ‘pup cup,’ a special whipped cream treat for dogs.
The heartwarming clip, which has amassed over 361,000 views and nearly 30,000 likes, shows Sugar eagerly enjoying the treat despite the visible scars and challenges she faces with half of her face missing.
Roubal expressed how grateful Sugar is for the love and care she now receives, noting that while Sugar was initially hesitant about the pup cup, she quickly embraced the delight of the whipped cream on her tongue.
Animal lovers flooded the comments with support and admiration for Sugar, praising Roubal for giving her a chance at a beautiful life. Many emphasized the resilience and sweetness they saw in Sugar, despite her past hardships.
Roubal, who dedicated decades to public service before transitioning to volunteer work with dogs in need, finds immense joy in seeing Sugar’s positive impact online. She believes Sugar’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of love, despite the cruelty she endured.
For anyone with funny or heartwarming pet videos or pictures to share, Roubal encourages sending them to life@newsweek.com for a chance to feature in their Pet of the Week lineup, celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives.
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