Mother Dog Shot After Giving Birth Helped by Hero's Hands

Written by Joal Derse-Dauer of Wisconsin (and her sister Marnette Bowen)

In a moment that embodies the very worst that man can do, a nursing mother dog was shot once in the head and again in a hind leg shortly after giving birth to puppies. The full story is not clear, but what we do know is that she went through horrifying acts of cruelty in rural Kentucky before being found in a mountainous region by animal control personnel. It is presumed that she was taken out to the mountains, shot and then left for dead. We will never know what became of her puppies.

This pathetic dog, now named Sadie, somehow made her way to a no-kill shelter in Wisconsin as part of a rescue program. I had gone over to the shelter to drop off some blankets when I came upon Sadie lying there unable to get up. Sadie tried desperately to get up but her hind quarters could not move. She would not take her eyes off of me, knowing this could be her last chance to be saved.

I Would Take Her Home With Me

I lost my heart to that poor little girl. I adopted her immediately, carried her home and quickly got her to a clinic. The veterinarians found a bullet still in her forehead and shrapnel in the muscles of her back . She could not get up and was incontinent, malnourished and underweight.

Immediately Sadie went on a program to nourish her and build her up. She got supplements, special nourishing food and 3-5 hours of various therapies each day. At the end of only one week, Sadie was standing on her three good legs. One rear leg hung loose and dangled beside the good one. At the end of May, after one month of intensive therapies, Sadie was standing and urinating on her own! Sadie was responding to all the love and prayers everyone was sending her. Sadie is such a joy. I love her.

A Long Road to Physical Recovery

Earlier this month Sadie had surgery to remove the bullet in her forehead and a very large cyst was removed from her tail. Two weeks after the surgery, Sadie still cannot stand. She goes to the bathroom where she lies, and must be cleaned up multiple times a day.

: This perfect dog who once ran now struggles. One day we hope she will effortlessly cross small inclines like this one.

: Gentle water therapy with Todd at ThinkPawsitiveDog.com

: Joal and Sadie on the trampoline, working on her muscle development.

She has now been taken to TOPS Animal Rehabilitation for evaluation and thankfully, they have agreed to work with Sadie and see if we can get her mobile again. This means Sadie still has a chance at life.

Sadie will be starting rehabilitation with boarding in July. This is the best care she can get. I am totally committed to her and working double shifts to pay for the thousands of dollars her recovery is costing and inviting anyone who is touched by her story to make a donation for her care.

For all of you who are inclined to do so, please pray for Sadie. Let’s hope that our collective support will restore the health of this sweet creature. Her body was nearly destroyed by darkness and now she will be rebuilt with love. See Heartwarming Photos of Sadie’s therapy here.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

LMj S.

3:20PM PDT on Nov 3, 2012

Bless you both and thank you!

November 3
send a green star

3:19PM PDT on Nov 3, 2012

Kathi M.

10:18AM PDT on Aug 10, 2012

why would anyone shoot her if she isnt sick w parvenu/distemper and has not turned on any one?
she looks healthy to me. and where is the puppies or the owner they(puppies)should be found and saved and the owner taken in for questining. if he/she shot the dog then he/she should be in jail

August 10
send a green star

Buffy F.

3:48AM PDT on Aug 3, 2012

Sending all my love to you Sadie, I am sure the person who did this to you is in a very dark place. No one who is happy and have joy in their lives would do something like this. This person is paying the price sooner or later. We plant our own seeds. Hope you get walking again. Thank you for all of those involved in helping this angel. We need more people like you!!!!

August 3
send a green star

Nancy G E.

8:01PM PDT on Jul 23, 2012

OH SADIE, I'M SO SORRY FOR WHAT SOMEONE DID TO YOU. SOMEDAY YOU'LL WALK, THEN YOU'LL RUN. I WILL PRAY FOR THAT. I JUST CAN'T COMPREHEND THIS HAPPENING TO YOU. FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RACE. NOT ALL OF US ARE MONSTERS. WHOEVER DID THIS WILL PAY IN SOME TERRIBLE WAY. THE PERSON THAT DID THIS BELONGS IN HELL. IF GOD DOES HIS JOB, THAT'S WHERE HE'LL END UP.

July 23
send a green star

Milkah S.

12:59PM PDT on Jul 16, 2012

oh precious sweer Sadie, Im so glad you will now know love. I wish you a full and speedy recovery..And the disgusting individual that did these horrible things to you, well karmas a b**ch !!!

July 16
send a green star

Nelson P.

7:23AM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

It is only a coward and a monster who could shoot a dog in this manner, that too after she gave birth. How can this man go about every day with the thought that he shot a dog that had just given puppies. Of course, if he has no regret for this crime then he is the devil's reincarnation. I hope people get to catch this monster who should then be subjected to the same kind of treatment - get shot in the head and on his leg. He deserves nothing less than that. In rural America where this incident took place, such people are plenty. One reason is because of the lack of good education and the other is the influence of fundamentalist Christianity. The 'fundies' do not believe in being kind to animals. They only believe in being kind to themselves and this country is packed with these lunatic 'fundies'.

July 13
send a green star

kristen p.

12:46AM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

That is just cruel, how can anyone do such a thing...and I can only image what they have done with her babies. Poor things and Sadie too...thank you to you who save her life.