Her story began in the most heartbreaking way. Her owner had bought her because it was fashionable, a trend he wanted to follow. But trends fade, and so did his interest in her. Within a short time, he grew bored, claiming that caring for her was too much trouble. One day, he simply left her in an abandoned place, fragile, hurt, and forgotten.
A neighbor was the one who found her. The sight was unbearable. Her legs were broken, her body weakened from days without proper care. The neighbor told me, “She has been lying here for at least three days.” When she called me, her voice was filled with worry. Without hesitation, we went to bring this poor dog into our care.
At the clinic, the doctors worked quickly to stabilize her. She was nearly exhausted to death, her eyes dull with suffering. X-rays revealed the horror: both of her front legs were severely broken, with complicated fractures at the paws and elbows. The injuries were not fresh; the fractures were several days old. Surgery could not wait. If we delayed, her chance of recovery would grow smaller by the hour.
Yet there was another challenge. Blood tests showed that she was positive for parasites in her blood. She was also anemic, her body too fragile for such a demanding operation. The doctors had no choice but to postpone the procedure for two days. For us, every moment felt like sitting on fire, knowing she needed help but not being able to act immediately.
Finally, the day of surgery arrived. The first operation on one leg was carried out. Though she was weak, the team worked carefully, and to everyone’s relief, the operation was successful. But her legs remained bent and unstable, not aligned as they should be. She would need a second operation. For now, she could go back to the shelter to regain her strength.
There, she was timid at first. She limped slowly around, exploring corners by herself, watching the other dogs play. Her eyes were filled with sadness, longing to join them but held back by pain. On the third day, she showed a spark of courage. She moved closer to the others, wagging her tail shyly, wanting to play even though her body could not allow it. She would walk a little, then collapse, lying down quietly to watch the others. Still, I knew those were her happy days—because at last, she was surrounded by love and care.
We contacted her owner, demanding an explanation. His response was cold and angry. “She was lost. Who knows what happened?” he snapped before hanging up. He denied all responsibility, refusing to admit what he had done. But we knew the truth.
Two days later, we returned to the veterinary hospital for her second surgery. This time, it was even more complicated, lasting nearly two hours. She was strong enough now to endure it, and when the doctors finally came out, their faces held relief. Both of her legs were aligned and fixed properly at last.
At first, she struggled. She wanted to stand and walk but could not. She looked at me with confusion, as if asking why her legs would not obey her. It took three long days for her body to adjust, for her legs to stabilize. On the fifth day, she finally managed to stand up to eat. Her appetite returned, and she ate heartily, her tail wagging weakly but happily. The doctor smiled and told us she was on her way to recovery.
The following days were hard. Every step was an effort. She trained for thirty minutes daily, strengthening her legs, though it left her exhausted. But she never gave up. With each day, her life changed little by little.
After a week, she was discharged. When she returned to the shelter, she was overjoyed to see her friends again. There were tears and sweat along the journey, but nothing could compare to the sight of her smile, the wagging of her tail, the sparkle of hope in her eyes. That was our greatest reward.
Her new life stretched before her like an endless road, full of discovery. She ran to explore places she had never seen, sniffing the air, wagging her tail with excitement. And then came the moment that sealed her future. A kind woman stepped forward to adopt her, offering her the home she had always deserved.
It was bittersweet to say goodbye. After so many struggles, after so much pain, it was finally time for her to leave the past behind. The sadness of her old life was gone. A new, beautiful chapter was beginning. She had a name now, one filled with love: Lanitas.
Lanitas’ story is one of resilience and hope. Once abandoned and broken, she fought through surgeries, pain, and fear to stand again. Surrounded by compassion, she found the strength to heal. And now, with her new family, she will never again be left behind. She will be cherished, protected, and loved for the rest of her days.
Her journey reminds us that love can mend what cruelty has shattered, and that every life—no matter how broken—deserves a second chance.
