Willa’s Turning Point
When Willa walked through our doors, we knew she was special.
She was a transfer from another adoption center, one that cared deeply, but simply didn’t have the resources she needed. She was underweight, and we knew right then that she had a long road ahead.
So we did what we always do.
We made a plan, adjusted meals, consulted veterinarians, monitored carefully and gave it time.
But nothing changed.
Willa wasn’t losing weight, but she just wasn’t gaining it. Over the next two months, her body stayed stuck in the same fragile state. But she never let that dampen her spirits. She loved spending time with her caregivers and would happily do any trick for a treat.
Then one day, things shifted.
Kennel staff noticed it immediately; her appetite dropped, and soon she began vomiting and was rushed to the emergency vet. Moments like that are never debated. We act because we know this community stands with us when it matters most.
X-rays revealed the answer we hadn’t been able to see: a foreign object lodged where her small intestine meets her colon. During emergency surgery, the veterinarian removed a large portion of a soft dog toy, something that had likely been in her body for a long time, quietly preventing her from ever gaining the weight she needed.
Willa recovered well from anesthesia and was transferred overnight for intensive monitoring. By morning, she was alert. Eating. Still Willa, but finally on the other side of the mystery that had been holding her back.
She has a careful recovery ahead, and we’ll be right there with her through every step.
