The director of the Carbon County Animal Shelter provided hope to a stray pit bull found in western Pennsylvania this past weekend.

“He looked at Tom like Tom was his savior,” Ruth Leicht, a board member of the Butler County Humane Society, which is about 37 miles north of Pittsburgh, said Monday.

Tom Connors and his wife, Michele, drove more than four hours Dec. 26 to assist Thunder with a chance at a loving home. A woman found Thunder and took him to the shelter Dec. 14. He had an injury to his side of what Leicht said appeared to be road rash, but she isn’t sure. His owner surrendered Thunder to the shelter.

“Stray dogs have a history, but they are unable to relay that history to the shelter workers,” Leicht said in an email.

Those who knew of Thunder told staff of his life. Staff at the shelter tried to gain the trust of Thunder but it was difficult.

“His anxiety completely overrode him,” Leicht said.

Thunder was in an interior dog run and loved eating hot dogs staff gave to him, but when approached he wasn’t cooperative. The board president did research online and noticed a volunteer commenting on Connors and his connection with animals and contacted him. Connors was at the shelter Saturday and Sunday.

When he arrived at the humane society, he spoke with employees and staff about the dog. Connors said he noticed that Thunder was “very scared and very fearful.”

“It was showing signs of depression,” he said.

He gained his trust by giving him McDonald’s cheeseburgers.

“I told him he was a good boy and gave him the cheeseburgers,” Connors said.

He said the dog sensed Connors meant no harm.

Leicht said she could see Thunder responding positively when Connors talked to him in an excited voice.

Soon thereafter, Connors and Thunder went for a walk, met other employees and volunteers at the shelter and played with stuffed animals in a room. On Sunday, Thunder and Connors spent more time together before he left.

He said leaving Thunder was difficult.

“It’s an experience that I truly cherish,” he said.

Connors has been going through some health problems recently and this encounter provided hope for him, too.

“I needed him as much as he needed me,” Connors said, adding the experience “reminds him of how good life is.”

He said he and Thunder had a “connection.”

Leicht agrees.

“That dog loved him almost from the minute he met him,” Leicht said.

She said Connors provided Thunder happiness and joy.

“We can’t say enough good things about Tom,” she said.

While there, Connors gained valuable insight on ways to improve shelter operations in Carbon County. He credited the shelter with doing the right thing for Thunder.

“These are people that cared enough for this dog that they didn’t want to give up on him,” he said.

Carbon County supporters even donated at least $895 as of Monday for Thunder’s medical care. Leicht said the shelter is appreciative.

“We can’t thank them enough,” she said.

Funds will go for neutering and other costs. No additional donations are needed. Eventually, the hope is Thunder will be placed for adoption. Connors said he wants to drive back to see Thunder again, a promise he made to him. He told the dog he will be OK and reminded him to be a good boy.

Leicht said they are inspired by Connors’ devotion.

“It was just an amazing experience, and we were just in awe of what he did with this dog,” she said.