Meet Sasha: The Street Dog Who Lost a Leg — and Found a Family
When one-year-old street dog Sasha was rushed into an animal rescue hospital in India after a devastating car accident, rescuers feared the worst. She had suffered catastrophic injuries to both her front legs, lost a lot of blood, and was fighting for her life.
Staff at TOLFA (Tree of Life for Animals), an animal welfare charity in Rajasthan, worked through the night to stabilize her. Despite their best efforts to save both legs, the blood supply to one limb failed, and surgeons had no choice but to amputate.
“When Sasha was brought into our hospital we were all shocked by her condition,” recalls Jemma Sadler, Assistant India Project Coordinator at TOLFA. “But even in pain, she wagged her tail and wiggled her body every time someone came near. Everyone fell in love with her instantly.”
A Common Tragedy
Sadly, Sasha’s story isn’t unique. Every day, TOLFA fields at least four emergency calls about animals injured in traffic accidents. Broken bones, paralysis, and life-threatening wounds are tragically routine. Since its founding in 2005, the charity has treated more than 70,000 animals in need — from dogs and cats to cows and donkeys.
A Bond That Changed Everything
But for Sasha, there was hope. The man who first found her bleeding on the roadside, Kanha, never forgot her. After she pulled through surgery, he made the life-changing decision to adopt her.
“The bond Kanha and Sasha formed the day he picked her up was very special,” says Sadler. “Even after she lost a leg, he still connected with her and welcomed her into his heart and family.”
By giving Sasha a forever home, Kanha also opened up space at the sanctuary for another street dog in desperate need.
Resilient, Radiant, and Loved
Now thriving on three legs, Sasha has settled beautifully into her new life. She’s proof of the resilience of India’s street dogs — survivors who don’t let hardship dim their spirit.
“Street dogs in particular are so resilient,” Sadler reflects. “It takes more than losing a leg to stop them. Dogs like Sasha are our inspiration every single day to keep going, to keep helping.”
Once a broken pup lying helpless on the street, Sasha today is a symbol of hope, survival, and the power of compassion.