While taking our rescue dog for a walk deep in the woods, we were alarmed by cries coming from the bushes. Our dogs, sensing something amiss, led us to the source, alerting us to an animal in desperate need of help.
It was heart-wrenching. The small dog we found was unable to walk and shivered all over, trying to protect itself. We later named her Hope.
She had endured a lifetime of being used for breeding and was abandoned when she fell ill and became useless for those purposes. Helpless and starving, she was left to die.
Hope’s body was frail and covered in painful wounds, her skin red and raw. We rushed her to the vet, where she underwent a series of tests.
It was discovered that her spine was crooked, likely from spending her life confined in a small cage, making her wary and withdrawn from the world.
Further tests revealed she had a large hernia and a broken pelvis, explaining her inability to walk. We hoped she wouldn’t be permanently paralyzed.
Under emergency care at the veterinary clinic, Hope was hospitalized for stabilization and close monitoring.
Four days later, she was well enough to go home with our volunteer, Krista, who took on the responsibility of administering her many medications and supplements.
We reassured Hope that she was now safe and loved, and that her days of suffering were over.