A bewildered dog named Sawyer lay unnoticed on a busy Texas road, a place where many drivers passed by without a second glance. He seemed resigned to the idea that help might never come.
But when animal advocate Zully Vasquez Ventura saw him so defeated, she felt compelled to act.
Attempting to help, Ventura set down food for Sawyer, along with other stray dogs nearby. However, when Sawyer gingerly limped toward the meal, the other dogs aggressively prevented him from eating.
Realizing his desperate need for assistance, Ventura turned to social media, hoping a rescue group would intervene.
Her plea reached Laura Forma, who leads ThisIsHouston, an organization dedicated to aiding sick and injured dogs. Without delay, Forma contacted her team to find help for Sawyer.
Volunteer Tara Hall answered the call, traveling swiftly to rescue the injured dog. Sawyer didn’t resist as Hall gently carried him to a veterinarian for much-needed care.
Sawyer’s examination revealed a history marked by hardship. Infested with fleas, suffering from double ear infections, and with an abscess on his paw, he was also found to have two previously broken back legs.
Although one had healed properly, the other had not, leading the vet to suggest amputation.
Hall decided to care for Sawyer at her home and agreed to a follow-up appointment in two weeks to reassess the situation. As Sawyer settled into a safe environment, his true character emerged.
He surprised Hall by moving with ease, showing no signs of pain from his rear leg. Hall told The Dodo, “He runs up and down the stairs, jumps on the bed, jumps on the couch, runs around and plays with other dogs in the house.”
Given his behavior, Hall suspected Sawyer might not have always been a stray. Unlike typical long-term strays, he was well-adjusted to household routines and never messed in his kennel. It seemed he once had a home.
Sawyer’s story caught the attention of Bobbie Nolen from Austin, who felt an immediate connection after seeing a post by ThisIsHouston. “That’s my dog. I’m gonna do whatever I can to get that dog,” Nolen told The Dodo.
Driving to Houston to meet him, Nolen felt an instant bond the moment Sawyer, now eager, cuddled into her lap. She patiently awaited his medical clearance before taking him home.
At his check-up, a second vet confirmed Sawyer’s leg was healing well and didn’t require amputation. Determined to be about a year and a half old, he had a promising life ahead.
After healing under Hall’s care for three weeks, Sawyer moved to his forever home, renamed Walter by Nolen. Adjusting quickly, he delighted in his new routines—fetch games and cozy couch cuddles.
Residual caution from his past showed when feeding time arrived, as Nolen described, “He very, very gently—almost sneakily—puts his head in the food container and takes off running.”
With love and security now assured, Walter’s days of struggle are behind him. His future promises the comfort and love he’s long deserved.
