Dylan McCay and his fiancée Emily Roberts, an Arkansas couple, made a life-changing decision when they used their entire $12,000 wedding fund to save an abandoned Goldendoodle they found seriously injured. Since then, his selfless act has inspired an outpouring of support, raising $45,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and give the dog, now named Maple, a loving forever home.
The story began on November 2, when McCay saw a post on facebook about a Goldendoodle hit by a car and left for dead near Conway. He immediately drove 20 minutes to the scene and found the nine-month-old dog lying in the rain, covered in blood and with two broken legs. Despite her serious injuries, the dog remained calm. “She tried to crawl towards me and put her head on my lap,” McCay shared on Facebook.
McCay rushed her to an emergency veterinary hospital, where staff confirmed they could help, but that costs would have to be covered up front as the dog’s owner was unknown. Without hesitation, McCay and Roberts agreed to use their wedding savings to cover the treatment.
The dog, now named Maple (formerly Acklin), faced serious challenges: broken femurs, bruised lungs, flea infestations and shock. Initially, there was concern that his leg would need to be amputated. But McCay and Roberts were by his side, attending every appointment and overseeing his recovery.
His kindness did not go unnoticed. Strangers touched by her story began donating to help with mounting medical bills. With the funds raised, Maple received extensive care, including surgeries and physical therapy. Her recovery has been remarkable: she recently began to walk practically alone.
Maple, now officially adopted by McCay and Roberts, has become part of their family. In a candid update on his GoFundMe pageshared: “Maple finally came home today! Emily and I have learned how silly, playful and happy she is. “He is making so much progress walking that we have to slow him down to prevent him from getting hurt.”
The couple continues to share updates on Maple’s progress on TikTok (@sweetlifeofmaple), celebrating her resilience and the overwhelming support from the community. For McCay and Roberts, saving Maple was not just about rescuing a dog, but giving her a chance at life and a loving home.