A Man’s Shocking Discovery: What He Thought Was a Beaver Turned Out to Be…

Rescue of the Abandoned Animal

Adopting animals and rescuing them from distressful situations is always praiseworthy. Still, sometimes, it can be done with wrong guesses about the animal’s identity, as one man found out when he heard weird noises from a nearby pond. He walked over to see the commotion and discovered what looked like a beaver. He decided to help the animal only to get the surprise of his life. Read on to know the complete story.

Meet Jim Passmore

Nature is truly a philosopher, guardian, and guide of man. Humans can lead a healthy and contented life if they are in harmony with nature. If you also belong to the group that believes this, then you can surely appreciate Jim Passmore from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Meet Jim Passmore

On a crisp March morning, he decided to explore the surrounding area and see what nature offered. While he assumed this walk would be a stroll like every other walk he had taken, he had no idea he would take a route he had never explored before.

A Wonderful Natural Environment

As a nature enthusiast, Jim Passmore adores his hometown. Broken Arrow has forests, woodlands, snaking creeks, and crystal-clear lakes that are perfect for picnics and family outings. It’s a place that nature lovers adore.

A Wonderful Natural Environment

Like any other environment lover, Jim typically walks alone with his pets. He’s the proud owner of two adorable pooches who love exploring the natural world around them. The dogs, too, love the opportunity to be in an open space in nature’s lap.

A Routine Day

This day changed Jim Passmore’s life forever. It’s one that he’ll never forget. That day began like any other. Taking his dog’s leads, Jim took them to the nearby creek to allow them to exercise and have a little splash in the water.

A Routine Day

It was precisely what they expected until they reached the creek. Indeed, they weren’t expecting what they were about to witness soon.

A Morning Walk

The trio — Jim and his two dogs — had a routine they followed. As he looked beside the creek, Jim saw that something seemed amiss. The middle of the stream had some debris, something he had never seen before, so he walked over to see it.

A Morning Walk

He approached closer but couldn’t clearly see what they were looking at. From a distance, it looked like a log in the water. When he looked closer, he could see that there was hair on it.

An Animal Stuck in the Mud

At first, it looked like an animal had been trapped in the Mud, but Jim wasn’t sure. So he walked a little closer, and it was easy to see that it was something struggling. Jim saw the submerged object that appeared to be stuck between the two water levels.

An Animal Stuck in the Mud

It was hard to believe it was an animal, but Jim couldn’t deny what was in front of him. Why was it not eaten if it had been dragged into the creek by a predator? Why was it left there? Things certainly did not make sense.

The Animal Was Alive

The more Jim looked at the scene in front of him, the more things didn’t add up. He once again tried to get a closer look at the object in the water, and at this moment, he realized the animal was alive.

The Animal was Alive

It was trying to free itself from the mud. Though the attempts were feeble, it was still trying to save its life. Jim usually walks around the creek for a half-hour a day, but he knew he would be there for a lot longer on this day.

Dogs Were Uneasy and Sensed Something Wrong

Once Jim’s dogs realized what was happening in the water, they began barking and yelling. It was as if they sensed some danger and feared the creature beneath the water. Jim started to worry as he looked at his dogs, whose sounds of fear pierced through the air.

Dogs Were Uneasy and Sensed Something Wrong

Nonetheless, the poor guy couldn’t tell what kind of animal it was, and he couldn’t see the entirety of its body. Was it a bear? Or was it something else?

Jim Looks Around

He looked around for any signs of life, before coming across something peculiar. A short way from the creek was a small animal crate, like the carrier you would put your pet in when you take them on vacation.

Jim Looks Around

He still couldn’t accept that the animal stuck in the mud in the creek used to be in the animal crate. Additionally, did it mean that the dangerous animal was someone’s pet? The thought unnerved Jim.

Jim takes Another Look

But to be sure, Jim approached the crate and took a closer look, noticing a blanket in the cage. It was a colorful fleece that would keep an animal warm, perplexing the Broken Arrow locals. Now, he had to resolve a particular issue.

Jim takes Another Look

First, what was stuck in the water? Secondly, how did it get there? Where was it from? When Jim racked his brains for an explanation, he came up empty-handed. He had no idea what to make of the weird situation, and he didn’t even think it would get stranger.

Jim Thinks of Possible Scenarios

Things certainly didn’t add up, but Jim had to find the answers to his questions. The first thing that crossed Jim’s mind was that the animal might be a beaver. That makes sense.

Jim Thinks of Possible Scenarios

But, the carrier undermined that assertion because the beaver may have been using it as a refuge, or maybe it was just a couple of groundhogs living in the abandoned case. All this was running through Jim’s head, but in reality, that wasn’t at all the case.

Jim Found the Scene Extremely Unsettling

The more Jim studied the crate and the surrounding area, the more convinced he became that there was something very suspicious about the entire setup. The carrier was covered with animal droppings, and the whole thing was filthy.

Jim Found the Scene Extremely Unsettling

Besides this, there was also a large hole in the side of the box that, from what he could tell, had been gnawed at by the animal trapped inside.

The Setting Was Intentional

Though Jim couldn’t reach a conclusion about the animal that was restrained in the cage and the one stuck in the mud, he was sure that the entire setting was intentional. There was a purpose, and someone had tried to chain an animal in the wilderness intentionally.

The Setting Was Intentional

Jim couldn’t believe that someone would cage an animal and abandon it in the wilderness, knowing it would be tough to survive. But the mysteries persisted. Which animal was in the cage? What was stuck in mud in the creek?

Jim Notices an Animal

The cage was so gross that Jim couldn’t believe any animal could have lived in such an environment. Unable to face it any longer, he looked back at the creek, where he saw something that caught his eye.

Jim Notices an Animal

Watching a lone beaver along the water’s edge, partially submerged, Jim wondered whether it was the same one he had seen before and whether it had managed to escape. The man, however, wasn’t convinced, so he held his dogs in check and walked back the way he had seen the animal had headed.

The Animal Covered in Mud

Jim realized that getting up close to the animal would not be possible after he returned to the area where he saw the animal submerged in mud and water. All the foliage in the area made it very difficult for Jim to get close to the edge of the creek.

The Animal Covered in Mud

Upon closer inspection, he tried to deduce what the animal was. He studied it more and became convinced that it was, in fact, a giant beaver.

Jim Followed His Gut

Even though Jim was clueless about what kind of animal he was coming up on, he could tell it was stuck in the mud. Instantly, his reaction was that he wanted to do everything he could to help.

Jim Followed His Gut

He desperately wanted to help the struggling animal break free from the thick mud and murky water, but he knew he needed to devise a solid plan first. Without a good plan, the entire effort could backfire, and Jim himself could be in trouble.

The Revelation: It Wasn’t a Beaver

The ground softened as the woods and the leaves drenched with wetness. It wasn’t long before Jim discovered that the animal was bigger than a beaver. If it wasn’t a beaver, what could it be?

The Revelation: It was not a Beaver

The giant creature seemed trapped in the mud, and Jim acted instinctually without a second thought. He had to help the poor creature, but one thought persisted — he still had no clue about which animal it was. Shouldn’t his safety be his prime concern?

Determined to Help

He didn’t know what it was, but Jim was confident he would figure it out. He couldn’t stand the thought of abandoning an animal in need. H’s a kind-hearted man who wanted to rescue an animal in need.

Determined to Help

Though he was unsure about the animal, he knew it could be aggressive, so he needed to watch out for those teeth in case they escaped and chomped him. Despite the uncertainties, Jim was clear that he wouldn’t abandon this animal who desperately needed help.

Jim Requested Help

Upon getting closer to the animal, Jim realized how big it was. Feeling alone, he reached out to other passers-by and locals to help. They devised a plan to help the animal and quickly surrounded it.

Jim Requested Help

Unfortunately, when the crowd began to cover the animal, it became increasingly panicked, even going so far as to bite an innocent bystander. The incident didn’t lower the spirits of the rescuers, who were now more committed to retrieving the animal from its muddy prison.

The Condition of the Animal Was Unknown

There was uncertainty about the type of animal, but Jim had another concern. He had no idea about the medical condition of the animal.

The Condition of the Animal Was Unknown

Jim knew, from first-hand experience, that stray and wild animals could have all sorts of illnesses that could prove fatal to humans. Jim wasn’t sure if the animal under the surface had anything contagious, so he trod carefully so as not to scare the animal and make it a stressful ordeal.

The Lone Option in Front of Them

Since he didn’t know how long the animal had been in the creek, Jim realized he should cover its head. It was probably scared by the number of people trying to help it. The animal calmed down quickly after the jersey was placed over its head.

The Lone Option in Front of Them

Generally, animals and humans would freak out if their vision was suddenly gone, especially in such a situation, but it had a calming influence on this animal. The rescuers heaved a sigh of relief as there was some progress.

Efforts to Free the Animal

The fabric over the animal’s head afforded the other rescuers a little more peace of mind regarding interacting with the creature. Although they could get close to the beast without getting bitten, they couldn’t lift it out of the mud despite their best efforts.

Efforts to Free the Animal

This meant that they couldn’t have the animal out of the mud. Its enormous size was also a deterrent to any effort to lift it.

In Desperate Need of a Plan

Jim and the team thought of multiple plans to pull the animal out of the creek. One idea was to dig around it, but it proved to be next to impossible because the animal was half-submerged in mud.

In Desperate Need of a Plan

Their only ray of hope was a pulley system or a crane that would help them rescue the animal. They had no choice but to use a pulley since a crane wouldn’t be available soon. The problem was making a pulley and keeping the animals relaxed for a long time.

The Plan Works

The animal was wedged in, and it seemed to be refusing to get out. Did it have the intention of loosening up and getting free? So, they kept trying and eventually began to feel more relaxed as they were able to make it budge. This gave them a new determination and an ability to push harder.

The Plan Works

After a few more tugs, the “beaver” was lifted to safety. Finally reaching solid ground, it collapsed on the edge of the water. Jim thought this would be the best time to discover the animal underneath the jersey. Can you imagine a beaver or a bear? Could it be something else entirely?

Not a Beaver at All

He reached down and took the jersey away from its head. At that moment, he realized it wasn’t a beaver at all. Instead, it was a sheepdog that looked scared, hungry, nervous, and completely harmless.

Not a Beaver at All

Jim was skeptical as the dog had been neglected and not treated well. Despite the animal’s very meek disposition, it appeared to be in a reasonably healthy condition. It didn’t seem like the dog was injured in any way, and he didn’t need immediate medical attention.

The Local Authorities Informed

Even though Jim could see that the dog wasn’t in danger, he was still curious about where the dog came from and why it was stuck in the mud. So, he called the authorities and requested they investigate.

The Local Authorities Informed

After all, he had braved an ordeal that not many would have undergone and deserved every bit of care and respect.

The Dog Is Given a Name

As they put a blanket on the dog and stroked it, the pup ceased shaking and engaged more with the people around it. As a result, Jim and the others named the loving pet Teddy. The dog seemed to like the name and responded to it.

The Dog Is Given a Name

Teddy started acclimatizing to his new and safe surroundings as the familiarity with his saviors increased. Teddy appeared to be a calm and quiet dog. Once he realized he had been rescued, he relaxed and sat patiently. Jim had indeed won Teddy’s trust.

The Dog and the Beaver Sidekick

Jim found it bizarre that a beaver he had just met had led him to the stranded dog. Can a beaver take care of this dog? A beaver can’t do much for a dog, but it’s cool to imagine that they were buddies.

The Dog and the Beaver Sidekick

Whatever the truth, the fact remains that on that fateful day, Jim was led to the dog by a beaver. Sidekick or not, it undoubtedly contributed to the rescue of Teddy.

The Main Priority

As the rescuers spent more time around the dog, they realized that although he didn’t require immediate medical care, still his condition was terrible. He couldn’t be left unattended and was certainly not in the state to be adopted by anyone. Owing to his difficult ordeal, he needed time for rehabilitation.

The Main Priority

He was given some food to eat and a blanket to keep him warm. As he ate a bit, he started showing signs of recovery. It was a promise that he would recover in days to come.

Efforts to Make Teddy Walk

After Teddy had been given ample rest, the police attached a lead to the dog, intending to walk him to the car. At this point, they faced another problem. As Teddy tried to walk, they realized that he was struggling to do so.

Efforts to Make it Walk

The rescuers decided immediately that Teddy needed a complete medical examination. One of the rescuers found an ingenious way to move the poor dog and brought a wheelbarrow. Teddy was put in it and carted to the car.

Possible Reason for Teddy’s Inability to Walk

Everyone was taken aback by Teddy’s inability to walk. They all expected him to walk gently toward the car. With his failure, they all were in a somber mood. They hoped it was only exhaustion.

Possible Reason for Teddy’s Inability to Walk

After surviving a harrowing ordeal, no one wanted him to be hurt for his entire life. They all pictured a happy and energetic life for Teddy and hoped for his recovery.

Working Together to Save Teddy

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals worked quickly to get Teddy in their care, but the team was warned they would have a lot of work on their hands. Teddy was still uncooperative with humans, and while the exact manner in which he ended up in the creek is unknown, there are several credible theories.

Working Together to Save Teddy

One theory is that he became injured, and his owner abandoned him. Whatever might have happened to him, the fact that Jim was present at the right place and time proves that good things can happen.

Scenarios Teddy’s Past

Another theory was that his owner might no longer have wanted him, so he confined him to a cage and abandoned him. Jim couldn’t stop thinking about the blanket and weight he found in the dog’s cage.

Sickening Scenarios about Teddy’s Past

Teddy’s name was chosen because he appeared cuddly. They would have to work on Teddy’s trusting humans again to make him act cuddly, but that was a work in progress.

The Tough Decision

Upon Teddy’s arrival at the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, the staff knew they had a decision to make. He could either be sent to an animal shelter, where he might be put down because of his injuries and temperament, or he could be rehabilitated and rehomed.

The Tough Decision

They decided to give the dog a chance because he didn’t deserve to be put down after surviving his ordeal. Teddy had been mentally and physically hurt by his past, and he wasn’t as cute as the bears he was named after. Still, they decided to hold on to him.

Medical Examination of the Dog

Teddy was examined and tested for diseases and infections at the vet. Teddy was tested because they wanted to be sure that the person he bit would be alright.

Medical Examination of the Dog

Amazingly, Teddy tested negative for anything dangerous, and the rescuer was relieved of this anxiety. A thorough check-up was the requirement as the circumstances in which Teddy was rescued could have resulted in a disease of any kind, which might very well have been communicable.

Teddy had Nine Lives

Teddy, it appeared, had nine lives and seemed almost indestructible. He’s lucky! What he experienced was pure terror. He was forced to fight for his life for an extended period of time.

Teddy had Nine Lives

It was also very fortunate that the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals took him in. They were able to find him a place to live instead of a shelter.

The Rescue Could’ve Been Dangerous

He was finally recovering. Panic-stricken, earlier Teddy had bitten one of the people trying to rescue him.

The Rescue Could’ve Been Dangerous

After careful tests, it was determined that Teddy was going to be alright. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The Road to Recovery.

The OAA workers had to patiently wait for Teddy to adjust to his pen for a couple of days. But he eventually warmed up to them. The pain medication they gave him also helped him feel more at ease.

The Road to Recovery.

The tests revealed that he was probably in a lot of pain, which is why he needed the medication. He got the best possible medical care that made it possible for Teddy to recover fully from his traumatic experience.

The Biggest Hurdle

His veterinarian said that Teddy’s lack of stamina led him to gain a lot of weight and become sedentary. It led to even more trouble. Overweight dogs often experience problems such as joint and ligament degradation, along with the degradation of bones and inflammation in the bones.

The Biggest Hurdle

On top of that, they often deal with higher-than-average blood pressure. He already has had his share of hardships, and medical complications were the last thing he needed. But one thing was sure; it would indeed be a long and challenging road to recovery.

Online Popularity of Teddy

As more people learned about Teddy, they started supporting him more. He became a symbol of tenacity and will to live in the face of adversity.

Online Popularity of Teddy

It’s evident that the digital age did Teddy a considerable favor. It changed Teddy’s life. His snaps on social media started getting more and more likes, and people started following his recovery on multiple social networking sites.

Improvement in Health

As Teddy’s story became somewhat viral, his health improved. He went from being a sluggish pup who was unfriendly and wanted to be left alone to playing and being affectionate. The OAA receptionist showed him a lot of care. Her name was Jessie.

Improvement in Health

Owing to her care and affection, teddy started believing in life again. Teddy had a spring in his step because he was finally gaining recognition.

Teddy, the Senior Citizen

Teddy is an elderly dog and will face more significant challenges than the average dog when he looks for an adoption. And yet, as undesirable as Teddy’s age may be, there are benefits. Firstly, you know that he’s not going to grow anymore.

Teddy, the Senior Citizen

Next, his behavior patterns are more or less settled. Additionally, he’s less likely to bite and is usually more docile and affectionate. He would surely make an excellent pet, especially for a young family.

Credit Goes to OAA

Teddy could recover well because of the care that he got at OAA. He was indeed in good hands. Teddy’s online popularity stands as the epitome of the commitment of shelters to care for animals and promote them for their rehabilitation and adoption.

Credit Goes to OAA

Online publicity is a cheaper way to promote the animals and increases their adoption rates. In addition to offering affordable animal procedures to the public, the OAA works to reduce the number of animals euthanized annually.

Haunting Stats

A total of six million animals are processed each year into the United States shelter system, of which about three million are dogs. Many shelters struggle to accommodate strays due to their sheer number.

Haunting Stats

All these factors come together to give us one inescapable reality: Shelters put down about 700,000 dogs every year, and it’s very depressing. Teddy’s story is a testament that life can change even if you’re in the tightest of spots.

A Second Chance

If Jim hadn’t rescued Teddy and the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals hadn’t decided to rehabilitate him, Teddy would have probably perished in the mud. Consequently, he has recovered and can be active after all he went through.

A Second Chance

It’s heartening to see him thrive, but at the same time, the idea that many like him don’t get a chance to live life to the max is disheartening. Teddy’s story gives hope that things can take a turn for the better.

Where is Teddy Now?

Teddy’s story leaves one question — where is he now? We don’t know what he’s doing or where he is living. Teddy’s final fate is unknown. Most likely, he was adopted by someone who happened to be looking for a pet through Facebook or browsing the internet rather than coming across him some other way.

Where is Teddy Now?

The story of Teddy inspires us to keep giving our best despite hardships because, eventually, things work out well.