Marc Buckner thought he was helping a dog in need. What he didn’t realise was that the little puppy he rescued would end up changing his entire family in return.
Western Cape, South Africa (23 June 2026) – A puppy covered in ticks, battling disease and carrying an untreated injury from being hit by a car isn’t the kind of story that usually begins with a happy ending. But for a dog named Cobe, a chance encounter with South African model, actor and content creator Marc Buckner changed everything.
Marc first met Cobe while assisting with a sterilisation initiative in a township community. The goal was to help reduce unwanted litters and improve the lives of dogs in the area, but one puppy immediately caught his attention.
“He was in terrible condition,” Marc recalls.
Cobe was severely underweight, covered in parasites and suffering from multiple health issues. As veterinarians began treating him, they discovered something even more heartbreaking. At some point, he had been hit by a car and left with a badly damaged hind leg that had never received proper treatment.
After convincing the owner to surrender him, Marc stepped in to help. The plan was simple: get Cobe healthy and find him a forever home. But life had other plans. As the weeks passed, every new veterinary assessment seemed to uncover another challenge. Finding someone willing to adopt a dog who might require ongoing medical care became increasingly difficult. At the same time, Cobe was becoming part of the Buckner family.
“I don’t think there was one specific moment. It happened gradually.”
One of the biggest surprises was watching Cobe bond with LuSi, Marc’s dog. Initially, he expected her to be less than thrilled about sharing her home, her humans and her attention with a newcomer.
“To be fair, she did give us the cold shoulder for a little while,” Marc laughs. “There were definitely moments where she looked at us as if to say, ‘Have you seriously brought another dog into my house?'”
Before long, the two dogs became inseparable, spending their days playing, sleeping side by side and turning every moment into an adventure.
Related Stories
Prof Elsabe Kearsley’s Innovation Can Turn Trash into Stronger, Sustainable City Spaces
South Africa, Let’s Help Border Collie Rescue Find a New Home“What has been amazing to watch is the impact he’s had on LuS. The two of them spend every waking moment together. They play until they’re exhausted and then collapse next to each other to sleep before doing it all over again.”
The moment everything changed came when a potential adopter expressed interest in taking Cobe home.
“I remember turning to my left while we were sitting on the couch and seeing my girlfriend Alex in tears… before a word was said, I knew this was going to be much harder than we had anticipated.”
That was the moment he realised Cobe was no longer just a foster dog.
He was family.
Today, Cobe is almost unrecognisable from the puppy Marc first found. He has gained weight, recovered from infections and grown into a playful, affectionate dog whose personality shines through every day. While questions remain about future treatment for his leg, he is surrounded by people committed to giving him the best possible life.
For Marc, however, Cobe’s story is about far more than one dog.
“Because Cobe isn’t unique. That’s the heartbreaking part. There are thousands of dogs in South Africa living in similar conditions. Dogs that are neglected, injured, sick, abandoned, or simply forgotten about.”
With a social media audience of more than two million people, Marc believes he has a responsibility to shine a light on causes that matter. Through his role as a Oneplan Pet Brand Ambassador, he has long advocated for responsible pet ownership, quality veterinary care and animal welfare. Cobe’s journey has only strengthened that mission.
“The reality is that one post won’t solve animal welfare issues, but awareness creates conversations, conversations create action, and action changes lives. If Cobe’s story encourages even one person to adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, or sterilise their pets, or simply show more compassion towards animals, then sharing his story was worth it.”
When asked what he would want Cobe to know if he could understand everything that has happened, Marc’s answer is simple.
“I’d want him to know that none of what happened to him was his fault. I’d want him to know that despite what he experienced early in life, there are people who care deeply about him and who will continue to fight for him. I’d want him to know that he doesn’t need to earn his place in this family. He already has one.”
Despite the neglect, the injuries and the uncertainty, Cobe still wakes up every day excited to see his people, excited to play with LuSi and excited for whatever comes next. What began as an attempt to help one overlooked puppy has become something far bigger.
Marc may have rescued Cobe but he also found a friend for life.
View this post on Instagram
by 
