Neglected and Injured, Luke the Dog Begins Healing Journey Thanks to Community Support
Luke, a 1-year-old American Eskimo mix, is finally on the road to recovery after enduring unimaginable neglect, trauma, and injury. His journey toward healing has been made possible by the Friendship Animal Protective League (APL), a loving foster home, and a wave of compassion from the online community.
Luke arrived at Friendship APL on December 30 after the organization received an urgent call about a severely injured dog in desperate need of medical attention.
By the time he reached the shelter, Luke had already lived in several homes and suffered multiple traumas. In his first home, he was hit by a car, resulting in a broken leg that was never treated. The injury healed incorrectly, leaving him with restricted mobility. Later, he was rehomed into a house with several unspayed female dogs. A fight broke out, and Luke suffered deep facial wounds, which were left untreated and became badly infected.
“He wasn’t the one who started the fight,” said Shelby Dowdell, communications and PR manager at Friendship APL. “But he took the worst of it.”
Upon arrival, Luke underwent immediate veterinary care. Surgeons cleaned his facial wound, inserted a drainage tube, and began him on antibiotics to fight the infection.
Despite all he’s been through, Luke’s spirit remained intact.
“He was never aggressive,” Dowdell said. “Just scared, shut down, and unsure of who to trust. But every volunteer made it their mission to remind him he was safe and loved now.”
The Power of Social Media
Friendship APL shared Luke’s story on social media, and the response was overwhelming. Among those who saw his story was a woman experienced in caring for dogs with medical needs. She offered to foster Luke and has since become an essential part of his healing journey.
In her care, Luke’s wounds have steadily improved. She gently cleaned the injury multiple times a day and ensured he received all his medication. Today, the once-severe facial wound has nearly healed, now marked only by a fading scar.
However, Luke’s damaged leg still poses a problem. Friendship APL plans to perform X-rays in the coming weeks and anticipates the leg may need to be amputated.
Community Comes Together
To help cover his medical expenses—expected to reach over $6,000—a fundraiser for Luke has already raised nearly $7,000. The organization is also hosting a 50/50 raffle to involve even more supporters.
Dowdell credits social media for the outpouring of help.
“It’s become such a powerful tool in animal welfare,” she said. “We’ve been able to reach more people and raise funds faster because of it.”
A Brighter Future
Now, nearly two weeks into his foster placement, Luke is showing signs of emotional healing, too. His foster mom shares that he’s becoming more confident, enjoys playing in the snow, and is slowly emerging from his shell.
Luke’s journey is far from over, but he’s no longer walking it alone.