Lavender

We can hardly believe we get to write this today. Our sweet Lavender—once on the brink of death—has not only healed, but has officially found her forever family! After everything this brave girl has endured, she is finally safe, loved, and home. Before we celebrate her beautiful new beginning, we want to take a moment to honor just how far she’s come.

When Lavender first entered the shelter, her condition was nothing short of horrific. Her tail had been violently hacked off by her previous owners, leaving a necrotic, rotting nub that exposed her bone. The infection was so severe that the stench of decay filled the room. At only three years old, Lavender had already lived through more pain than most could comprehend. Shelter staff desperately searched for help, but no rescue had space. When we saw her intake post, we dropped everything and raced to her side.

Lavender was exhausted and broken, yet the moment she was in our arms, we knew she still had fight in her. We rushed her straight to the emergency hospital, where she received urgent pain relief, IV fluids, antibiotics, and diagnostic tests. She weighed only 25 pounds with a body condition score of 1/9. She was a shell of a dog. Emergency amputation of her tail was her only chance at survival. It was terrifying, but we refused to give up.

With her surgery date scheduled, we turned to our animal-loving community for help. And you showed up for Lavender like we never could have imagined. Donations came in from every corner, helping us close the final gap in her medical funding. Thanks to your generosity, Lavender received the specialized, delicate surgery she desperately needed. Her infected tail was fully removed, her pain finally eased, and for the first time in a very long time… she could rest comfortably.

Lavender’s recovery was nothing short of remarkable. She continued daily hydrotherapy, completed her antibiotic course, and followed a specialized refeeding plan to rebuild her strength. Slowly, the terrified, broken dog we rescued blossomed into a gentle, affectionate girl who greeted every volunteer with a tail wag and big smile. Healing inside and out, she finally understood what it meant to feel safe.

And then, the moment we had all been waiting for happened. Lavender found her forever human. Today, she is living the life she always deserved. She is surrounded by love, sleeping on soft blankets, and receiving more affection than she knows what to do with. Her transformation is nothing short of miraculous, and it is all because of you. To everyone who donated, shared, prayed, transported, fostered, or simply rooted for her: THANK YOU. Lavender’s future is bright because you believed she was worth saving. Happy tails, sweet Lavender. Your new beginning starts now!