'Miracle dog'

[Jazzy]

The stray dog was hit by a car, clubbed in the head and left for dead in a ditch in Washington state. Days later, the 1-year-old bully breed mix showed up sickly and covered in dirt at a nearby farm.

Now, the dog that defied death is recovering with the help of good Samaritans and veterinarians at Washington State University.

The dog used to roam the streets getting scraps of food from people in Moses Lake, a farm town about 100 miles west of Spokane.

About a month ago, she was struck by a car. Then things got worse: Someone cracked her in the head with a hammer and placed her in a box in a farm field.

But the dog somehow survived and was discovered at a nearby farm with a dislocated jaw, leg injuries and a caved-in sinus cavity.

The wounds helped veterinarians piece together what happened, including the hammer blow.

"I'm assuming that the person who did this meant to put her out of her misery," said Sara Mellado, who learned about the dog's plight on Facebook and took the animal into her Moses Lake home.

She named the dog Theia.

"Considering everything that she's been through, she's incredibly gentle and loving," Mellado told The Associated Press. "She's a true miracle dog, and she deserves a good life."

Theia is receiving care at WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman.

A CT scan of her skull revealed a condition that constricts the nasal passages, restricting air flow into the lungs, said veterinary resident Andrea Sundholm, who's assisting with Theia's treatment. It was caused by multiple nasal bone fractures.

When Theia tries to draw air in through her nose, she's forced to open her mouth to breathe instead. But with a dislocated jaw, that is challenging as well.

Theia's jaw is healing on its own, but the nasal-bone fractures have caused lasting problems, Sundholm said. Fixing that will require surgery to insert a stent, she said.

The veterinary hospital's Good Samaritan Fund awarded $700 to help pay for Theia's early treatment.

Mellado has raised another $10,000 for the surgery through a crowdfunding website, and is planning to call WSU to schedule the procedure.

The university said despite her injuries, Theia is friendly and likes to kiss people's cheeks.

This just makes me cry. I wish there was something more that we, as animals lovers, can do to the SOB's who do this to animals. Thank God she was saved. People can be so cruel. They have no heart or compassion. I hope they catch this slime bucket and nail him/her in court for the abuse and sentence him/her to the a very long sentence and heavy fines. I am glad to hear that she is doing well and it seems like there is enough money, sent by good people, to pay for her surgery.

 

[Rooster]

Words escape me...

 

[Jazzy]

Words escape me...

Me too but thank goodness she's going to be okay. She's a strong little girl. I hope she gets a loving forever home.

 

[Rooster]

I hope she gets that home as well.

I love dogs, I firmly believe they can remind us of our own humanity.

But I hate stories like this because, sometimes, dogs can also remind us of an individuals inhumanity.