Road-Tripping Family Saves 'Exhausted' Puppy Abandoned in Desert

While out on a road trip, a family came across an abandoned puppy in the bushes of an Arizona desert.

"On a driving vacation from Oklahoma to California this past Saturday, this little pup [now called Canyon] was found alone in the Arizona desert, 26 miles from the nearest town," read a Facebook post on the page AZ Canyon, which is dedicated to providing updates on the puppy.

NBC affiliate station KPNX reported that Kristina Mumford was out with her two siblings and her father. When they stopped to take photos in the desert, they found Canyon, who was malnourished and exhausted.

"His face had a gash...kind of in the middle, he wasn't really moving his back legs, we thought he was injured, but it turns out he was just exhausted," she told the outlet. "I look at my dad and I go, 'we can't leave him out here, we [have to] take him with us.'"

Mumford told Newsweek that when they found Canyon, his ears were back and they could tell he was dehydrated.

They stopped at the gas station earlier that day and fed Canyon some of the hotdogs they purchased and gave him some water.

Though the family wanted to keep Canyon with them throughout the road trip, Mumford said the hotels they were staying in would not have allowed him.

However, Mumford's family in La Jolla, California, took care of the puppy.

"They are going to foster him until they either fall in love with him and keep him themselves or find him a good home," Mumford said.

She said it was a "relief" that Canyon was able to settle into her cousin's safe home.

Mumford's cousin, Ro Blackwood, took Canyon in and told Newsweek he was a bit nervous the first night, explaining that he didn't quite know "how to act like a dog."

However, it didn't take long before Canyon warmed up to the entire family, which included two other dogs.

"He submitted right away and they were running around together just a few minutes later," Blackwood said. "There haven't been any dust-ups with the other dogs."

The family later learned that Canyon was not microchipped when they took him to be checked out by a veterinarian.

Though Canyon was found and rescued, many animals that have been abandoned aren't as lucky.

According to Four Paws International, abandoning pets have an impact on the animals and the community.

"Abandonment exposes dogs and cats to an uncertain fate, one on the streets they must fend for themselves and may suffer from hunger, thirst, injuries and diseases," a piece published by the organization stated.

Rather than abandoning a pet, the organization urged pet owners to consider a different solution, depending on the situation they are facing.

For example, owners with pets that exhibit behavioral problems should speak with an expert who can address the issue. These problems can be caused by medical issues, and a trip to the vet can help identify what the problem may be.

If someone is in a difficult financial situation, the organization stated that support may be available from animal welfare organizations to those who qualify.

In the event that there is not a solution that works for the pet owner, the organization urges them to think about the different rehoming options.

An owner can be directly responsible for rehoming the animal, or they may find an animal welfare organization that can rehome the pet.

Since taking Canyon in, Blackwood said he's heard from people interested in adopting him.

He also said others who may want to follow his story or are interested in adopting can follow the Facebook page.

The Facebook page for Canyon has provided photos and videos of the puppy, and it stated that Canyon has grown to feel more "safe and comfortable" since he was rescued.

Updated 02/28/2022, 4:18 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comments from Kristina Mumford and Ro Blackwood.