Pregnant Dog Shot With A Bullet Survived And Gained Strength For Her Puppies

Although Hannah the German Shepherd lived on her owner’s property in Buckeye, she lived like a stray. The dog owner went to Oklahoma and got sick about a year and has been there ever since. He relied on relatives to care for Hannah and her three puppies.

One day, someone shot Hannah at close range with a bullet near the spine leaving her paralyzed. Hannah was brought to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) where she was slated to be euthanized unless a miracle happened.

That miracle came in the form of Trish Houlihan, founder of the nonprofit Saving Paws Arizona, who was notified by MCACC that a German Shepherd was in desperate need of rescue.

Since MCACC did not have the means to care for a dog in her condition and had lack of staff Houlihan was Hannah’s only hope.

Houlihan and Michelle Forster, rushed Hannah to VetMED in Phoenix. X-rays showed that not only was there a bullet near her spine but that she was pregnant. VetMED was not equipped to do the necessary surgery to save the dog, so Houlihan and Forster took Hannah across town to Veterinary Neurological Center,where the vet told them that it was urgent to get the bullet out.

There were many concerns about the surgery especially due to Hannah’s pregnancy. She had already gone under examinations and her upcoming surgery was scheduled with anesthesia, moreover there was a 50-50 chance of losing the whole litter or part of the litter including some birth defects.

Surgery was performed and Hannah pulled through. On the following Monday, Forster picked up Hannah and brought her home to recuperate.That Monday, Hannah had an ultrasound showing eight to nine puppies.

After the surgery, surmising that Hannah had no owner, a few calls were made by Hannah’s owner relatives but after becoming aware of enormous medical bill, and her health condition they draw back.

While under Forster’s care, Hannah walked with the help of a harness but it was not clear if she would regain feeling in one leg.

“For the next two weeks I made sure to get Hannah moving.We went slow making morning sponge baths. I also worked daily on her legs using different therapy,we did bicycle movements, heat, cold, and pressure point. Each day she was getting stronger,” Forster said.

In the first follow-up visit, the vet explained that although she was doing well, Hannah had to continue on low active bed rest. Forster would need to support Hannah for at least four more weeks especially on walks, no running or jumping was allowed.

Every day without fail Forster helped Hannah walk with the harness as the dog continued to get stronger,even using her rear left leg a bit and showing great improvement.

“When she first wakes up she struggles with the colder weather due to arthritis in her legs,” Forster explained.

Houlihan explained that of the hardest things to accomplish was getting a sling under her belly to help get her up. Thankfully, Hannah is a fast learner and sat up when she saw the harness, making it easier for Forster to get it under her belly.When the time came Hannah gave birth to 11 puppies of which six survived. Forster and Bennett were there to help Hannah.

To date, all six surviving puppies are getting stronger. Along with raising healthy puppies, to date Hannah uses both her back legs on her own without the use of a harness. The only medical procedure she will need going forward is a spay surgery, according to Houlihan.

The puppies will be available for adoption and can go to new homes at nine weeks old and after their first shots. Hannah will go up for adoption around the same time after being spayed.

After everything she has been through, Hannah is very good-natured, sweet, and loves when people visit her.

“Even though Hannah’s owners left her and the other dogs and that she survived being shot, she has tremendous forgiveness and not one mean bone in her body,” Forster said.

Thankfully, Hannah’s story has a happy ending. Two of her offspring, Alice and Duke, from the original property are now with SPR. Neighbors hope to take in the third puppy.

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