Duke

Warning: This story will break your heart at first... then AMAZE you. Duke's body was found lying in a field right next to a set of train tracks. He was breathing and alive - but just barely. His ear had been ripped off and his skull was exposed. Though there were no witnesses around, the trauma to his body and the blood trails that led right up to the metal tracks told Duke's story well enough.

He had been hit. By a speeding train. And had somehow LIVED. Duke couldn't stand, let alone walk, and was rushed to the local shelter, where the staff there found that he was actually microchipped. Time to get him back to his owners, right? This boy went missing, miraculously survived a horrific injury, and could finally be reunited with his humans. Except... they didn't want him. They didn't even want to see him or say goodbye to him. They told the shelter to keep him. You've no idea the anger rescuers felt when they heard. Without a second thought, they pulled Duke knowing they could do right by him. He was in a LOT of pain and whimpering so much. It took rescuers everything not to cry. He was sent to VERGI 24/7 for emergency care to be assessed. No doubt, he needed expensive and extensive work.

Duke is a survivor, no doubt about that. Despite his awful injuries including the loss of one ear, his ear canal still remained intact and was tacked to his skin-so the plan was to close it up. He was getting daily bandage changes until clinicians were able to close his wound. He also sustained rib fractures and a pelvis fracture. With all these injuries and physical trauma, Duke had to undergo weeks of treatment and rehabilitation. Everything he suffered did not just clear up overnight. But thanks to his dedicated rescuers and medical teams, Duke made progress day by day. He grew stronger, he became more confident, and as he healed, he pushed the past behind him. In the end, he did end up losing his one ear and the hearing along with it, but that did not stop him from making a complete 180 and finding a forever home after.

Yep - that's right. Duke has found his forever. After everything he endured, Duke is on to bigger and better things after being matched with the most perfect family - one who is going to love him and cherish him for the rest of his days. We want to take a moment to thank everyone who played a part in Duke's recovery! To the CUDDLY donors who were able to raise over $5000 for his medical care, for the endless amount of goodies that were sent his way during his healing processes, and to the amazing supporters who showed love to him. Because of you all, Duke has his happy ending. So, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.