Chella Phillips first came across Anatoli, a Siberian husky, on social media. Her heart ached looking at posts about the scrappy stray, whom neighbors said was living in or around a local high school.
Phillips, president and founder of The Voiceless Dogs of Nassau, Bahamas, showed up to the school the very next day with a trap. She spotted Anatoli in the parking lot under a car, trying to escape the island heat.
“It was so easy trapping him,” Phillips told The Dodo. “I think he knew it was his last and only chance to ever escape that place.”
A teacher informed Phillips that the dog had been living in that area for about two years. Some students yelled at Phillips, mocking Anatoli with names like “Cujo” and “Chupacabra,” comparing him to the legendary creatures because of his mange-ridden coat.
Phillips drove Anatoli directly to the vet, where she learned he had likely suffered head trauma at some point, because his head tilted to one side.
Anatoli, estimated to be about 4 years old, received medication and vaccinations — not to mention a long-overdue bath, which revealed a bright, white coat.
Phillips constantly reassured the frail dog that he was safe, but even after arriving at her shelter, he couldn’t relax.
“We had to take baby steps with him,” she said. “He was so shut down and terrified of human proximity.”
While shelter staff tried desperately to earn Anatoli’s trust, the husky found hope in his fellow dogs. They welcomed him and taught him how to play.
“Anatoli saw them around us and that there was nothing to be scared of,” Phillips said.
Just a few days of dedicated compassion from staff and companionship from the other dogs were all it took to melt his fear. Anatoli opened up and basked in his new life.
He spent several weeks in Phillips’ shelter, practically smiling the whole time.
After some additional tests to make sure the husky was healthy enough to travel, Phillips coordinated his transfer to Second Chance Rescue in New York, where he earned a new title: foster fail.
Five years later, Anatoli is unrecognizable.
His parents lovingly groom his lush, white coat. He lounges on plush beds and explores parks with his dog siblings.
Snow is part of his life now, too, which is great news for a husky from the Bahamas.
“I have rescued dogs all my life,” Phillips said. “It hurt me so much how indifferent people were to his suffering … He meant nothing to them.”
Now Anatoli is everything to his forever family.
