As a licensed veterinary technician, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many animals in need, but there was one particular case that deeply touched my heart. It was about five years ago when I arrived at the animal hospital for a typical shift and saw a tiny puppy with multiple wounds lying on the treatment table across the room. She was visibly disturbed and in pain, and the technician who was presently caring for her had multiple patients, so I assumed responsibility for her.
I was astonished to see so many puncture wounds on such a small body, but what struck me the most was her remarkable resilience despite what she had endured. As I learned more about her situation, I realized how dire it was for this poor puppy. She had been attacked by two large canines after being thrown around like a rag doll by her owner, who was ignorant of proper canine introductions.
At only six weeks old, the puppy faced certain mortality if we didn’t act immediately, and her owner couldn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation. The diagnostic tests revealed that she had a multitude of severe injuries, including numerous fractured ribs, a fractured femur, and a fractured hip. She was also in a state of shock as a result of her ordeal. Even if she were to survive this trauma, she had a long road to recovery ahead of her.
The young owner realized she couldn’t provide the puppy with the care she required in the future and was considering bringing her home as-is. At this point, I became extremely invested in the care of this puppy and offered to adopt her. This exceptional puppy was soon entrusted to my care, and my life with her began.
After affectionately naming her Ellie, we began our lengthy road to recovery. Ellie’s treatment was exhaustive and laborious, requiring an FHO (a type of hip repair), external fixators in her femur for eight weeks, and a hospital stay to recover from shock. However, her remarkable resilience proved once again, and her treatment was ultimately successful. Eight weeks later, her fixators were removed, enabling her to become the rambunctious puppy she had always desired to be!
But Ellie’s role in my life was not over. She became the greatest friend I could have ever asked for. She remained at my side through sleepless nights, unbearable heartbreak, and every struggle I would face in my sobriety journey. You see, Ellie entered my life just as I was getting sober and helped me through the most challenging endeavor I would ever undertake.
Sobriety was not an easy journey for me, and there were moments when I thought I would never make it. But Ellie’s affectionate and constant presence gave me the strength to carry on. In every way, Ellie is my heart dog, and I cannot imagine my life without her.
Ellie’s story is a testament to the remarkable resilience and power of animals. They have the ability to lift us up when we’re at our lowest, to help us through our darkest moments, and to give us the strength to carry on. As a veterinary technician, I have witnessed this firsthand, and I am continually amazed by the bond between humans and animals.
In the end, it was Ellie who needed rescuing, but in rescuing her, she rescued me.
