The Seven Survivors

Discovered on the brink of death in a litter where eight siblings had already tragically succumbed, these seven little babies are truly miracles. They were rescued from a dangerously unsanitary environment, with sick cats, feces, and small animal corpses scattered about. Thankfully, our rescue was able to swoop in and rescue the seven surviving babies and their mama, transporting them to the safety of our rescue. However, the puppies' condition was rapidly deteriorating; they were experiencing blindness, deafness, neurological issues, and a loss of mobility. We had to move fast.

The owner of the property had tried her best to save this precious family, yet to no avail. The puppies' mom, Dixie, often collected and carried back dead carcasses, leaving them out in the open and likely carrying fatal illnesses for other animals to catch. Despite the owner’s desperate attempts at cleaning her property, she was a struggling young woman caring for her three sons, two of whom were autistic, as well as an elderly grandmother, all by herself. Therefore, she simply could not care for these newborn babies, leaving them susceptible to infection, emaciation, and disease. 

After rescuing the family, two puppies, Reina and Cheyenne, began showing symptoms of Neosporosis, a deadly parasitic infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, or by being exposed to the feces of infected animals. Neosporosis can cause neurological issues, impairing walking, sight, and hearing. Immediately, we had them assessed thoroughly by our trusted vet to decipher the exact issue at hand. It was actually concluded that the babies were infected with a parasitic protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis, likely due to their dangerous living environment. By then, however, the infection had possibly caused permanent damage, and we were unsure of Reina and Cheyenne’s fate long-term. Regardless, we posted a campaign, hoping that we would soon receive help for this tragic case, and dove into action to try and save them!  

While their five siblings were undergoing treatment of their own, Reina and Cheyenne were quickly administered the necessary medication to alleviate their suffering and free them from the grasp of their vigorous parasitic infection. They were also given vital vaccinations so that they could grow healthy and strong. Additionally, they began physical therapy to assist with their walking ability. Throughout this process, the vet discovered suspicious areas in their spines, perhaps the true culprit of their mobility issues, rather than their infection. With this new knowledge, the puppies began progressing quickly, their resilience amazing us all! Through dedicated care, including stretching exercises, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture, our team worked diligently to help them. 

However, despite our efforts, Reina ended up losing the use of her rear legs and Cheyenne continued struggling to walk. All the while, they remained alert and playful, free from their initial agony. Still, they had a long way to go, and we were determined to stay at their side every step of the way. 

Around this same time, just as our team was feeling overwhelmed and fatigued from the sheer might of it all, we were amazed to see that countless donations and gifts from CUDDLY had FLOODED into our inbox, supplying us with the necessary tools and funds to continue our mission of saving these innocent babies!

Over the course of these past few months, Reina and Cheyenne’s recovery journey saw small but significant victories: Reina stood unaided for a few seconds, and Cheyenne began walking more confidently. Their physical therapy sessions bolstered their strength and agility, turning what seemed impossible into reality. The clinic even donated a wheelchair for sweet Reina, enhancing her mobility further. After weeks of diligent treatment, Cheyenne started running successfully, and Reina's determination showed promising signs. We jumped for joy, endlessly proud of these little fighters! They have been through so much and now, they are finally thriving. And it is all thanks to gracious donors like YOU! We couldn’t do any of this without your support. 

Each of these seven adorable puppies has now been adopted! Yes, you heard us right; all of these little babies, that once were found clinging to life in dire circumstances, have now found their forever, loving homes, including precious Reina and Cheyenne. A situation that once was fraught with uncertainty has been transformed into a story of hope and astonishment! Your donations helped us ensure that these puppies received the best rehabilitation and veterinary care so that they could recover as quickly as possible. 

Because of your generosity, they have turned from vulnerable beings into thriving, happy pups. Thank you so much to everyone at CUDDLY for being an essential part of their journey. These seven puppies are now happy, healthy, and safe, living in comforting homes, because of YOU! We couldn’t be more grateful!