Caden

Our beloved Caden is finally home. After a challenging start to life, Caden finally knows what it means to be cherished. Let’s take a moment to look at how this story unfolded so beautifully.

At a little under six months old, Caden’s limp, broken body was found curled up at a hotel in Texas. It was the evening of July 4th, and fireworks exploded in the night sky. The staff took one look at this poor boy and gasped with horror. Some averted their eyes. His little body, especially his leg, was riddled with wounds and sores, a heartbreaking sight for anyone who saw him. He was emaciated, with every bone jutting from his side. His nails curled painfully into his paw pads, carving wounds that were now packed with worms. The smell alone was overwhelming. 

When Caden arrived at the local shelter, we received the call soon after. His case was far too intensive for the shelter to handle alone. We rushed over without wasting a moment, and when we arrived, we could hardly believe what we were seeing. Caden’s heart rate was elevated, and his gums were stark-white with anemia. Let alone his clear wounds. But even in that moment, we saw something in his eyes: gentleness, and a will to live.

We had no idea who might have done this to Caden and why they had abandoned him in such a deplorable state. But we were committed to making things right for this gentle warrior. Being so young, all he had known up until now was pain and hardship. Once in our care, we made a vow to put an end to that. Little did Caden know that the best was yet to come.

Caden was rushed to the ER, where additional horrors were brought to the surface. His ribs and acetabulum (a large socket on the hip bone) were fractured, but the wounds were old and had begun to heal incorrectly. A road rash, now infected, stretched along his body, meaning he was maybe thrown from a car or perhaps struck by one, more than once. The reality was just awful.

Caden received a life-saving blood transfusion, critical pain relief, and gentle wound care. Healing him wouldn’t be easy, but we didn’t care. Not in the slightest. Because what mattered most was that Caden would be okay. And all of this trauma would one day be far behind him.

Caden remained hospitalized for over a week, receiving round-the-clock care. As he started feeling better, he began to showcase the gentle, sweet boy he had always been deep inside. He gave our team members gentle chin kisses when we approached, even rolling onto his belly for scratches. Little tail wags comforted us; he would be okay.

Once released, Caden cozied up at a caring foster home, where his healing journey would continue. He underwent bandage changes twice weekly, and day by day, his wounds began to heal. All the while, we showered him with as much TLC as we could muster. We wanted him to know that he was not alone, and that he’d never be alone like that again. From here on out, he would always be safe.

Two months after he left the hospital, something amazing happened: Caden was welcomed by the most wonderful family. A family that had rescued a dog, Maple, from Caden’s foster family years prior. He now spends his day napping in the sun, playing fetch with his new siblings, three humans and a dog, and greeting every morning with a happy tail wag. It’s the life he always deserved, and it’s all thanks to you.

We couldn’t be more grateful for your generosity. You have continued to show up for animals like Caden, granting them a second chance at a beautiful life. Because of you, this lovable pup has broken free from his pain and is a loyal member of a loving home. Thank you, again and again, for making this happy ending possible.