A homeless dog named Helen struggled for many years. Like most strays that spent their days sleeping on dirt, she fell sick. It all started with a simple itch on her skin that quickly progressed to a severe case of mange.
She endured the discomfort caused by her skin condition by constantly scratching her body. But in the long run, she ended up hurting herself. Her wounds got infected and her hair started to fall out. And in no time, her frail body became completely covered with scabs.
Without the necessary medical help, Helen’s condition got worse. She lost weight pretty quickly and she could no longer stand or even move. She just lay on the pavement and waited for the day when she’d die.
The poor dog didn’t think someone would come and help, which was why when her rescuers arrived, she didn’t care at all. She stared at them and did nothing more. She did not even bother taking a bite of the tasty treat they offered.
At the rescue center, Helen’s treatment and rehabilitation began. She received anti-inflammatory meds to soothe her painful skin and required IV infusion to address her dehydration. She was weak, broken, and exhausted, and she only started to eat a few days later once she started to feel better.
Helen received daily medicated baths once she was stable. Within a week, all the scabs came off her skin. Her physical wounds slowly but continuously mended, and so did her emotional and spiritual trauma.
It took many, many months for Helen to recover. She was old and frail and her rescuers thought she’d never recover. But her spirits were only hidden and never gone, so she continued to fight for her life.
Eventually, the old lad ultimately healed. Her skin was no longer raw and her hair grew back. After receiving all the help she needed, Helen learned to be happy again. She did not just survive, she thrived.
Source: Animal Aid Unlimited, India