“The one thing he had with him through everything was a beat-up, muddy old tennis ball. His tail didn’t stop wagging for a second and all he wanted was for someone to play ball with him.”

Diesel is 14 years old and completely blind — and has spent his entire life living on a heavy metal chain. From the time he was just a puppy, Diesel lived outside, never knowing what it was like to spend time lounging on a warm couch with a family who loved him. At one point it seemed Diesel had finally caught a break, and a “rescue” came to get him — only to rechain him up on its property, a life no better than what he was rescued from.

When Zoe Kharasch, founder of Newman Nation: Senior Pets United, heard about Diesel’s plight, she knew immediately that she had to try and help him. Every dog deserves a chance to be loved, and Diesel had waited for that chance long enough. He’d been chained up through extreme heat, snowstorms and even a tornado. It was time for Diesel to finally know life off a chain. 

“When I first expressed my dedication to rescuing him, I was met with a lot of skepticism, even from friends,” Kharasch told The Dodo. “People said he would never adapt to living indoors, that he should remain on the chain where he was ‘comfortable’ and even that he should just be euthanized.”

Despite everyone else’s doubts, Kharasch sent a volunteer to go and pick up Diesel — and from the moment the woman met him to his ride in her car, Diesel was an absolute dream. He was so grateful to finally be free from the heavy chain, and wanted nothing more than to play with everyone around him and be loved. 

“He was SO excited,” Kharasch told The Dodo. “The one thing he had with him through everything was a beat-up, muddy old tennis ball. His tail didn’t stop wagging for a second and all he wanted was for someone to play ball with him. He had no trouble jumping in the car and sat in the back with the woman’s kids and they rubbed his belly the whole ride.” 

The “rescue” that claimed to be helping Diesel has since been shut down due to neglect and other issues, according to Kharasch.

Diesel was immediately placed in a foster home, and the minute he arrived, he leapt onto the couch and sprawled out comfortably for the very first time ever. He made himself at home right away, and no one could believe how well he fit into his foster family right off the bat. He had been waiting his whole life to finally have a loving family, and it seemed that sweet Diesel wasn’t going to take even a second of it for granted. 

“He got to spend Christmas with a family for the first time ever and lots of Diesel fans sent him Christmas gifts,” Kharasch said. “My favorite story from his foster mom was how she got home to the Christmas tree knocked over and him running around the house with ornaments in his mouth.”

Diesel may be 14, but the sweet senior dog has so much life left in him. While he was very skinny when he was rescued, he’s now in surprisingly good health. All his bloodwork came back normal, and his very healthy appetite has helped him reach a normal weight again. While he is completely blind, he seems to have no idea.

“We learned very quickly that his lack of sight does not slow him down,” Kharasch said. “He is making up for an entire lifetime of not being able to be a real dog and has the energy of a puppy. He loves everyone he meets and has no issues living with MANY other dogs and cats in his foster home. He entertains himself and happily plays with his toys for hours.”

Diesel would really fit in well with any family who is willing to adopt him. He loves dogs, cats and kids, and would love a home where he can run around and play with everyone constantly. His favorite things in the world are tennis balls, and his foster mom was able to get local businesses to donate hundreds of them to him. Diesel was alone for so long, that all he really needs now is a family who will love him. 

“Diesel is a true testament to the good nature of dogs and how they forgive so easily,” Kharasch said.

If you’re interested in adopting Diesel, you can contact Newman Nation: Senior Pets United for more information.