Staff at the Harris County Animal Shelter in Houston, Texas, are no strangers to difficult cases — but nothing could have prepared them for what arrived at their doors one morning.
On January 21, 2020, a citizen brought in a six-week-old puppy suffering from horrifying injuries. The tiny dog, now named Sadie, had a deep laceration across her skull, and the trauma had separated the hard palate from the upper jaw, exposing the delicate nasal passages. Several teeth, including her upper left canine, were also missing.
Despite the severity of the injuries, Sadie was immediately taken into emergency surgery, performed by the shelter’s director, Dr. White. He worked to close the large cranial wound and reattach the damaged palate. Miraculously, just hours after surgery, Sadie was awake and even trying to eat.
A member of the shelter staff took Sadie home that evening to continue her care. Though she still has a long way to go and will likely require additional surgeries, her fight to heal has already begun.
On the following morning, Wag Again Rescue stepped in to take over Sadie’s long-term recovery. Thanks to their support, and the lifesaving efforts of the shelter team, this brave little pup now has a chance at a happy, healthy life.
Sadie’s journey is far from over — but she’s surrounded by compassion, and she’s already proving just how strong she is.