There’s no amount of money we wouldn’t spend if it meant the well-being of our four-legged friends, am I right?
I know for sure that Maria Avery, from South Florida, shares this philosophy.
One night, while out with her friends, she spotted Leo, a teeny-tiny puppy with a local street performer, who wasn’t in very good condition. The moment she locked eyes with him, she knew passing him by was not an option.
Instead, she offered his “owner” a deal – to buy him. And, guess what? It turned out to be both the best decision she ever made and the biggest surprise. Here’s why!
She Was Happy To Save Him
Leo was not the first puppy Maria helped. Before she stumbled upon him, she cared for many four-legged furballs in need, which ultimately made her have a soft spot for dogs.
And, Leo, the street puppy who wasn’t even old enough to be away from his mom, definitely stole her heart.
After she saw him eat pizza crusts and drink sips of Mountain Dew, Maria instantly approached the man who claimed ownership of Leo. She was aware that this little furball was far from living a decent life and she intended to do something about it.
The man, a local street violinist, initially requested $500, but after an hour of bargaining, Maria bought Leo for “just” $340 – and officially saved him from the neglect.
One of the reasons why this puppy was sold at “such a high price” was because his owner claimed him to be a long-haired Chihuahua. But, months later – Maria realized this was far from true. Leo was definitely not a purebred dog.
“Buying a dog from a random man with a violin downtown for $340 one night out thinking he was gonna be cute & sweet,” she joked in a viral TikTok video.
Apparently, this little boi was everything but a Chi! To be fair, he resembled a rodent. I mean, just look at his scruffy coat and his facial expression. Hilarious! But, guess what? That made him even cuter!
Although he was officially not a Chi (or a Chi mix), his unusual appearance was uniquely beautiful and hauntingly adorable!
Ultimately, Maria found the perfect home for Leo. She brought him to her parents who recently lost their 17-year-old dog and had, in fact, a long-haired Chihuahua named Mila.
“I knew my parents would love him and their other dog of 17 years passed the year before. My dad was obsessed with him instantly,” Maria wrote on TikTok.
The two needed some time to hit it off, but eventually they fit like puzzle pieces.
As he grew older, Leo began to show the funny, quirky sides of his personality, and with his unique, ratty look – it made him even more hilarious.
Having A Great Life In A New Home
For Maria, buying Leo from his owner that night was the best decision she could have made. Today, she gets to visit him every week and witness how great he’s doing in a new home.
Leo recently celebrated his second birthday with his family and he couldn’t be happier.
He’s as far from neglect as he could possibly be and has the best life. Leo enjoys sweet cuddles, playtime with Mila, and a nice, cozy life in his new Florida home.