Beautiful Dog Who Lost His Front Legs Refuses To Stop Loving

Someone posted yesterday about seeing a dog laying in the middle of the road with cars swerving around her. Her front legs were missing and the dog began to walk “on the bones with blood everywhere. ” She followed the dog behind a church, went back to grab her phone and lost the dog after that. People had been searching for her all night with no luck but this morning, someone reporting a whining dog under their house. 

Rescuers went out to get her safe, pulled her out from underneath the house, where she was laying in mud, and brought her to the ER for us. Miraculously, this girl is alive.  Her wounds appear to be days old.

They’re dirty and caked in mud. She was wearing a filthy 6 lb metal chain collar. She is alert, never once tried to bite and has constantly been wagging her tail. Upon looking further, they located one of her paws in the train tracks How she got in the train tracks and sustained these injuries, we will never know.

Dogs don’t typically intentionally allow themselves to get hit by trains though, so it crushes our hearts and souls to think about what might’ve happened. After rescuers found Athena, we instantly offered for her, and her saviors took her to Blue Pearl ER for us. She instantly received pain injections and she’s been resting comfortably since.

Athena is only about 8 months old, she’s a warrior, she made sure someone saw her and she made sure people FOUND her. She’s courageous, she’s got the will to live, she’s wagging her tail, she’s fighting…  We’re going to give her the best shot at a recovery. We’re still waiting to hear her x-ray results and she has no interest in eating, but vitals are well and she’s doing well. We feel that she deserves a chance and we feel honored to be standing behind her. 

Day 2: Athena is doing well overall. X-rays showed she still has both elbows which was so great to learn! This means she has a higher chance of adjusting to prosthetics. We were ultimately leaning towards full amputation on both arms, but now we are trying to salvage what we can.

She hasn’t had any interest in eating so a feeding tube will be placed today. Also, her RBC (red blood cell count) is a bit low so she will be getting a blood transfusion. They say she is very happy to see anyone who comes over to her, and wags her tail and rolls over for belly scratches, please continue to send her all the prayers and positive vibes.

Day 5: Athena continues to do well! She’s eating a bit on her own but also tolerates the feedings through her feeding tube. Vitals continue to remain normal, she’s got a urinary catheter in which is flowing well and she’s resting comfortably.

Day 9: Athena has started to move around and she’s standing on her hind limbs more often. She’s very comfortable, bright and alert and continues to eat well.

Day 11: Since that train took half her front legs, she’s come a long way! Overall, she’s doing great!  As you can see, she’s super happy and wags her tail almost non-stop! Her feeding tube was removed since she’s eating on her own very well and she’s in great spirits. “She can be changed by what happens to her, but she refuses to be reduced by it.”  

Day 25: She’s still doing incredibly well. She’s getting a wound vac change today, and will remain at Vet until her wounds are fully closed. 

Day 28: Athena stood up and took several steps without assistance today!

Day 35: Go Athena, go! Athena is still in good spirits and trying to be pretty active all things considered. She is learning to walk a little on her own on her two back legs and adopts a kangaroo stance when her vet team supports her a little. Athena has a got a great spirit and she’s eager to learn. Plus she never stops wagging that tail!

Day 43: Today, she finally discharges the ER where she’s been recovering since! We threw her a little party in the parking lot with a carrot cake and now her foster, Jenn, takes over her care! It’s been a long 43 days. Here’s to a new journey!

Day 50: All the reasons to be unhappy and Athena finds the one reason to smile Her wheelchair is finally ready and should be arriving tommorrow! She’s still a happy girl despite everything. She definitely has the right attitude. She’s truly one of a kind and she’s so inspiring.

Day 61: Athena is incredibly smart and catches on really quickly! ! (snacks really help too! ) Of course there were some outtakes and bloopers along the way! Happy and beutiful Athena now, from waiting for de*ath in pain to happy dog.