The puppy under the care of the technician at the time had a high number of other animals needing attention. This prompted me to offer my services in looking after the wounded pup. Seeing her with multiple puncture wounds was shocking, but she exhibited incredible strength despite the painful experience. Further examination revealed just how serious her condition was.
A small dog was subjected to a brutal attack by two bigger dogs, leaving her shaken and injured. The owner, eager to show off her new addition to her friends, put the pup next to their older dogs without understanding the proper way of introducing them. The older dogs, unfortunately, acted aggressively towards the young pup, resulting in serious injuries that could have been fatal. Regrettably, the owner failed to grasp the seriousness of the incident and was unprepared to take care of the puppy’s recovery.
After receiving the test results, it was discovered that the injuries sustained by the young pup were quite serious. Broken ribs, a shattered femur, a broken hip, and shock due to the trauma had left her in a fragile state. The road to recovery would be challenging, and even if she pulled through, her future was uncertain. The pup’s owner realized that she was unable to provide her furry friend with the care and attention required. Although considering keeping the pup, the owner recognized that someone else could better cater to the pup’s well-being. Hence, I offered to take the pup under my wing, feeling a strong connection to her welfare. Without hesitation, the owner handed over the pup to me, marking the beginning of my journey with this adorable furball.
From the moment I affectionately christened her as Ellie, our road to recovery commenced. I say “our” because at that point, I was also grappling with personal troubles and needed some mending myself. At the time of my healing process, Ellie appeared in my life and became my support system, helping me overcome the most difficult hurdle I had ever encountered.
Ellie went through a surgical procedure called FHO and had to wear external fixators on her femur for eight weeks. Additionally, she had to spend some time recovering at the hospital due to the shock. Despite the challenging and lengthy treatment, it was all worth it as Ellie transformed into the playful and lively puppy she always wanted to be after her fixators were removed. She became the perfect companion, always by my side during tough times like sleepless nights, heart-wrenching grief, and every hurdle I faced while striving to stay sober.
Having overcome a five-year struggle with sobriety, I attribute my success largely to the immense generosity and encouragement that I received from others during my darkest moments. My pet dog, Ellie, has been an unwavering source of comfort and companionship throughout it all, and I simply cannot fathom navigating life without her constant presence by my side.