In January 2015, Bret Winingar and his son Zach were riding through rural Arkansas when they discovered a chewed-up animal crate hidden in the bushes. Upon closer inspection, they found a severely malnourished black dog inside, covered in her own waste and suffering from cuts and scrapes. The dog, later named Charlie Bravo, was close to death but managed to growl when they approached, giving them hope that she could survive.

The Winingars quickly returned with food and their truck, rescuing Charlie and taking her to the vet. Charlie, estimated to be about 8 months old, had long nails that had grown back into her paws, making walking painful. Despite initially hesitating to adopt her, the Winingars grew attached as Charlie recovered and showed her loving personality.

Bret reflected on the experience, likening the crate to self-imposed prisons like dead-end jobs, abusive relationships, or addiction, encouraging people to break free with help. Charlie’s story gained attention on Facebook, leading to donations for her medical bills. Any extra funds were donated to local animal shelters, highlighting the lasting impact of her rescue.