A puppy is bouncing back after being left for dead in Ottawa’s west end.

Leopold (Leo) was found in a dumpster near at Draper Avenue and Morrison Drive on Nov. 22.

The caller notified the city's bylaw department who attended the scene. The one-year-old pitbull mix was found with a second dog the same age and breed type, but that dog was deceased by the time help arrived.

Leo was rushed to an emergency vet clinic, and then transferred to the Ottawa Humane Society. The OHS then reached out to local rescue Sit With Me Animal Rescue, who specializes with unique cases of neglect and abuse.

Tanya Beauchemin is the director and one of the founders of Sit With Me Animal Rescue. She is also Leo's foster mom.

"I call him my lion," said Beauchemin.

"He's like a little lion-hearted Leo."

Leo was severely emaciated, dehydrated, and covered in sores.

"He was really thin," said Beauchemin.

"He had all his bones sticking out, he was famished."

But you'd never know it. Leo was happy, and spunky Thursday afternoon.

"Some dogs when they suffer trauma they carry it with them," said Beauchemin.

"But you fall him right away because you see what he has been through, and he still wants to kiss you."

 Sit With Me Dog Rescue is the same group that helped in the case of a german sheperd puppy named Grover, that was also found near a dumpster; this one in Orleans last December.

The Ontario SPCA is appealing to the public for help to find the owner of the two dogs.

The OSPCA also opened two investigations in November involving similar incidents. Both dogs were found roaming around and severely emaciated. A male brindle-coloured Boxer cross believed to be about six months old was found in Ottawa on Nov 12 between Beechwood Avenue and Ferland Street. The dog was in such poor condition it had to be euthanized on a vet's recommendation. The next day, a Doberman Pinscher cross, also male and around the same age, was found in Brockville on Nov. 10, and remains in foster care. The OSPCA can be reached at their hotline at 310-SPCA (7722).

Leo remains recovering in the care of foster mom Beauchemin. He is believed to have pitbull in him, and therefore will need to be adopted out of province. If you are interested in adopting Leo, you can contact Sit With Me Dog rescue through their website or Facebook page.

Meet Little Leo! Sweet as pie. Can you believe this guy was abandoned in a freezing cold dumpster? His sibling didn’t survive but he fought to be here today. Full story tonight @ctvottawa @SitWithMeRescue #ottawa #ottnews pic.twitter.com/F111Y9kqoD