Iris

Iris, a Golden Retriever from a small town in West Virginia, once endured a life of unimaginable suffering. She was found bound by chains, emaciated, living in mud, and surviving on scraps. This horrible situation was finally noticed by her owner’s neighbor, who would watch Iris nearly strangle herself with the chain, begging for even a morsel of food. The neighbor, who could no longer bear to witness her silent torment, alerted the local law enforcement, who swiftly intervened and whisked precious Iris away from the horrific monster who abused her so cruelly.

Upon seeing Iris's heartbreaking state, law enforcement quickly sought help, spreading her story across the rescue community. Despite our facility located four hours away from where she was, we graciously answered the call for help. Once she was in our care, a veterinarian within our network agreed to meet Iris immediately, understanding the urgency of the situation at hand. The clock was ticking, but thanks to swift action, Iris quickly began her journey towards recovery.

Iris was transported to the vet clinic, where she received urgent and thorough care. The veterinarian found that Iris was suffering from severe malnutrition, anxiety, Lyme disease, and was infested with tapeworms and parasites. She was also deeply malnourished and agonizingly starving. Despite her grim condition, Iris displayed immense resilience and quickly won over everyone at the clinic. After several days of treatment, careful observation, and a nourishing, healthy diet, her condition improved significantly. We were so proud of this sweet girl and the swift progress she had made, despite the hardships she had endured for so long. 

Once stable and free from the life-threatening medical conditions, Iris was placed in a foster home to continue her recovery and receive the love and care she had never known. The foster family noted her anxiety, especially separation anxiety and food-guarding habits, both of which likely stemmed from her traumatic past. Nevertheless, Iris thrived in her new environment, gradually overcoming her fears. 

After a period of continued recovery, Iris was transferred to House of Hope in Maryland, another rescue partner. There, she was further vetted and placed in another loving foster home. She even went on her first trip to the beach! With continued care and support, Iris's health and spirit improved remarkably. 

The most joyous moment came when Iris found her forever home! That’s right; Iris was lovingly ADOPTED and now gets to enjoy her new life, filled with nothing but comfort and joy. Now, fully recovered and surrounded by love, we are just amazed at Iris's transformation. She went from a chained, starving dog to a beloved family pet, her life completely turning around directly before our eyes. 

Your incredible donations and unwavering support to CUDDLY have made Iris's happy ending possible. Thank you so much for being a part of her journey and helping us ensure she experiences love and happiness in her new family. All of this has been made possible because of gracious donors like YOU! While she can’t exactly say it, we just know that Iris is so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. By supporting CUDDLY, you help guarantee that countless other animals, just like Iris, go on to live their dream lives. Thank you so much for your kindness!