It was a dark April evening when fate brought me face-to-face with Anna.
I was in a park with my family when I saw her wandering along the street. Even from a distance, I could tell that something was wrong.
She looked lost, confused, and terribly weak. As she approached us, I could see that her perhaps once shiny coat was dull and dirty, and her one eye was sore and red.
Despite her condition, Anna didn’t seem scared or agitated. In fact, she walked right up to me and lay down at my feet. It was as though she knew I could help her. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to this poor creature, so I decided I must help her.
As I picked her up, I could feel how emaciated and weak she was. Her ribs were visible and tangible under her thin coat, and I knew she must have been without food and shelter for quite some time.
Even in her weakened state, Anna remained calm and quiet. It was as though she knew she was safe with me.
And that’s how the story of how I rescued Anna began. Little did I know that this timid and unassuming dog would soon become a source of joy, inspiration, and love.
A Vet Visit
As soon as I saw Anna’s sorry state, I knew I had to help her. Without hesitation, I scooped her up and took her to a dog boarding home. The staff there were sympathetic to Anna’s condition and welcomed her with open arms.
The next day, I took her to the vet. The vet concluded that Anna’s eye injury was due to a physical hit by something or someone.
My heart sank at the thought of someone hurting this sweet, innocent creature.
The vet also discovered that Anna’s whole body was hurting, especially her belly. She must have been without food or water for a long time.
The vet prescribed antibiotics and a course of vitamin therapy to help Anna recover. She was free of other diseases.
I visited her every day to check on her progress, and it was heart-wrenching to see her in so much pain. But even in her weakened state, Anna never lost her sweet and gentle nature.
She would wag her tail when she saw me and try to stand up to give me a lick on my face.
It took several weeks for Anna’s wounds to heal. As Anna’s health slowly improved, I knew that I couldn’t let her go back to the streets.
Anna had to be spayed soon, because she was in heat while she was in the street. Waking up from anesthesia was difficult, painful and so loud. However, it’s all behind us now.
Three Months Later
Three months had passed since I first rescued Anna. She was doing well in the dog boarding home.
One day, I was informed that she suddenly stopped eating and her saliva had blood in it. I knew something was seriously wrong because she loved her food. I rushed her to the vet, praying that she would pull through whatever was ailing her.
The vet examined her and found a bone stuck in her upper gums, which was causing her immense pain and discomfort.
People from the boarding home felt a pang of guilt that they hadn’t noticed it sooner. She must have picked up the bone during their walks because they never fed them any kind of bones. Perhaps she tried to swallow it fast and unnoticabley.
Anna’s condition had deteriorated rapidly, and she couldn’t eat or drink anything at all.
The next day, the bone was removed, but Anna’s condition continued to worsen. Her whole body was stiff, and she was breathing rapidly. The vets diagnosed her with sepsis and tetanus, and my heart sank.
The news was devastating. Despite the best efforts of the veterinary team, Anna still couldn’t eat or drink anything. Her condition was still getting worse.
I sat by her side, stroking her fur and praying for a miracle. Anna had been through so much, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her now.
The vets continued to provide her with the proper treatment, but her fate was now in God’s hands.
It Took a lot of Time to Recover
Days turned into a week, and each day was a struggle.
It had been a week since Anna was diagnosed with tetanus, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions for both of us. Some days, there were glimmers of hope and signs of improvement, while on others, it seemed as though we were back to square one.
A few days later, I could see the frustration in her eyes, and it broke my heart. Anna tried to get up, lifting her head up, but couldn’t bend her legs.
All I could do was be there for her, offering my love and support as she fought through the pain and discomfort.
The next days were awfully difficult. Anna could only blink, her body was stiff as a plank. We drove her to the vet twice a day and each time we spent three hours for her therapies.
She got sedatives to relax her muscles and enable her to breathe and get some rest and stregth to recover.
My Duty as a Caregiver
As her caregiver, it was my duty to ensure that Anna received the best possible care. I spent countless hours researching and consulting with veterinary experts, trying to find any information that might help her recover.
As we continued to fight tetanus together, I knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but we also knew we had to do our best in order to recover.
Only ten days later, Anna moved her tongue. She stuck it out! And that is exactly when her recovery began. The next day she had some water and several days after, she finally started eating with our help.
Using her legs took some more time. Realizing that she was unable to chase them, the cats strolled in front of Anna making her stronger and more eager to walk again.
It Was High Time
Anna was a fighter, and she never gave up. Slowly, her condition began to improve, and her appetite returned. She began to eat and drink again, and her body relaxed.
It was as though she had been given a second chance at life, or maybe a third one.
After weeks of ups and downs, and many sleepless nights, Anna had finally turned a corner. She started to walk again, slowly at first, but with growing confidence and strength.
At the beginning, we had to help her get up and support her hind part, and her left side was still stiffer than the right. But with each passing day, she became more mobile and independent.
I watched with pride and joy as she took her first few steps on her own, clumsily but determinedly.
It took another month for Anna to fully recover and become herself again. She regained her energy and her appetite, and her tail started wagging once more.
It was as though the cloud that had hung over her since her injury had finally lifted, and she was free to be the happy and playful dog that she was meant to be.
Anna Needs Forever Home
As I looked back on the journey that we had been on together, I felt a profound sense of gratitude and love for Anna.
She had taught me so much about courage, resilience, and the enduring power of love. And I knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as a team.
Anna had come into my life unexpectedly, but she had left an indelible mark on my heart. I knew that she was not just a dog, but a precious gift, a reminder of the beauty and goodness of the world.
As Anna continued to recover and thrive, I knew that it was time for her to find her forever home. Although it would be hard to say goodbye, I knew that she deserved a family who would love and care for her as much as I had.
Adopt Anna
Anna is a special dog, full of love, loyalty, and an unbreakable spirit. She had been through so much, but had never lost her gentle and affectionate nature.
She has so much love to give and will make an incredible companion for the right family.
We need someone to open their heart and their home to this brave and beautiful dog. I know that it will take a special person to see the magic in Anna, to appreciate her unique qualities, and to commit to giving her the life that she deserves.
If you are reading this, I implore you to consider giving Anna a forever home. She has so much love and joy to offer, and she deserves to live out the rest of her life in comfort, happiness, and security. I can promise you that she will be the most loyal and loving companion you could ever wish for.
Please don’t let Anna’s story end here. Let’s give her the happy ending that she so richly deserves.
In case you decide to adopt Anna or any other dog, please check this blog about the process of adoption from Nevena’s Rescues.
Remember that adopting an animal is not just about what they can do for you, but what you can do for them.
By providing a loving home, you are making a positive difference in their life and leaving a positive footprint in the society to follow.
Nevena’s Rescues Team
