When you go shopping at a second-hand store, you never quite know what you are going to find. Sometimes, you are disappointed with what you find, and you will get a rare treat at other times.

When Soraya Gomes Garcia was out shopping in Joinville, Brazil, she took a close look at a piece of furniture. It wasn't just the piece that had her attention, there was a dog sewn inside.

Photo: Flickr/Fernando Dall'Acqua License: CC BY 2.0

Fortunately, the dog was alive. According to the New York Post, Garcia says: "He was very hungry and thirsty, indeed he was about to die. It's not possible that (the dog) slipped into the sofa by himself: my brother-in-law had to rip the bottom to get him out, poor thing."

It is difficult to imagine someone doing something so cruel to a living creature, but it isn't unusual. Action Front for Animal Rights wasn't surprised that the dog was sewn inside.

Photo: Pexels/Lisa Fotios

According to MSN, the local animal rights group said:

"A person bought a used couch and the puppy came as a gift inside the couch, unbelievable, but that's exactly what happened, human beings are becoming more and more bold and cruel."

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A post shared by Soraya Gomes Garcia (@sorayamongagua)

After finding the pup, Garcia did the best thing she could. She made the dog a part of her family and named him Mel, after her first dog. You can keep up with them on Instagram, @sorayamongagua.

It's always heartwarming to hear about something like this happening.