Crystal Carson’s heart sank when she first saw Kratos, a Caucasian shepherd living in a landfill in Corum, Turkey. The dog was emaciated, with his ribs and spine visible through his fur, and he suffered from severe mange. Carson, co-founder of Rescuers Without Borders (RWB), was deeply moved. Despite the odds, she couldn’t get the image of Kratos out of her mind.

Kratos was just one of many dogs who survived at the dump, relying on scraps and taking shelter among the trash. RWB, founded in 2017, strives to provide these dogs with food, medical care, and sometimes new homes. However, resources are limited, making the task heartbreaking as they cannot help every dog.

Kratos, around 8 years old, caught Carson’s attention, especially as winter approached. Local rescuer Gökçe Erdogan urged Carson to take action, fearing that Kratos would not survive on his own. Urgently, Carson and RWB rushed to rescue Kratos and found him barely able to move due to dehydration and exhaustion.

Despite his terrible condition, Kratos surprised everyone with his resilience. After treatment for mange and dehydration, he began to recover. Carson arranged for him to stay at a rescue center in Bursa, Turkey, run by Emre Demir, where he could receive proper care.

Carson dreams of bringing Kratos to the United States, but faces challenges due to Turkish regulations. For now, his priority is Kratos’ happiness and health. His transformation has been remarkable, and his fur has begun to grow back.

Once on death’s door, Kratos now embodies hope and resilience, a testament to the compassion and dedication of people like Carson and the RWB team.