There is a saying that hope springs eternal, and that was how Roscoe kept going. He was tied inside a house with straw to keep him warm. He got some kibble every week from his family. When his food and water ran out, Roscoe kept his hope alive and hoped one day he would be saved.

In Illinois, the weather took a turn for the worse when snow began to fall. There was a moment when the dog wondered if he would make it until morning. As it turns out, someone was watching over the pup. The little dog was reported to the Effingham County Animal Control and Shelter by a citizen. Officers Vanessa Skavlem and Michelle Shoot rushed to the scene without delay.

“They called us because it had just snowed the night before, and for southern Illinois, it was a large amount of snow and super cold,” Skavlem told The Dodo. “He was just shivering to death because he was less than 10 pounds.”

When Roscoe saw the officers arrive, he knew his troubles were over. “He was just so happy to see us, he came running out,” Skavlem said.

Roscoe was wrapped in a blanket and taken to the car. It was the first time he was warm in weeks. Roscoe was overjoyed: “He was just so happy, you could tell,” Skavlem added. “He would just whine over and over and over.”

They fed the pup some biscuits and gravy and then Roscoe relaxed into his rescuer’s arms.

Skavlem took a picture of the dog resting and posted it to Facebook with the caption: “We have a heated environment in there, and he has all his little blankies,” Skavlem said. “When he comes into the office, he’s so happy he wiggles and jumps up on you.”

Roscoe still whines when his rescuers are around, just to let them know he is still happy. “He does this adorable whine that’s almost as if he’s talking to you,” Skavlem said. “You know, it just feels like he has emotions and he’s grateful.”