Abused Pit Bull Thrown From Moving Car

When Penny the Pit Bull was saved, her rescuers had no idea that they were actually saving two lives.

Dog was emaciated, injured and suffering from congestive heart failure as result of heartworms. Also had infected cuts and wounds all over her face.

The vets called Donna Velez, founder of Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue in Memphis, Tennessee, to see if her rescue could help. Although her rescue was full and she was recuperating from her own health issues, Donna asked them to send her some photos.

As soon as she saw Penny’s pictures, she instructed the vets to get the dog out of pain and treat her. Soon after, Donna drove to the clinic to see Penny herself. Taking one look at the skinny, hurt dog, Donna knew she would take her.

A family in St. Louis saw Penny’s photo and wanted to adopt her right away. The family already has two Pit Bulls and a wealth of dog knowledge.

“She’s only been with us 10 days and she has a long way to go, but she is a good dog despite all of her antics, she just isn’t used to this lifestyle because she was mistreated for so long,” wrote Jennifer. “She has already come a long way since we got her.”

Penny’s health has made a remarkable turnaround in just a few weeks. Her treatment for her advanced heartworm is working successfully and she’s learning many new things at her new home.

She is really loving life now! Her appetite is huge which is good, because she didn’t want to eat the first day home so hopefully she will start packing on some pounds. She’s still afraid of our two boys but I’m working on socializing them safely.

Also loves going on walks and wants to run back to the house when we return. Overall this is a big adjustment for everyone but I look at it like having a new baby, lots of changes that eventually fall into place.

The biggest surprise in Penny’s recovery, however, came this week when she unexpectedly gave birth to a puppy. Puppy has been named Nickel. Amazingly, despite the traumas and medications Penny has undergone, Nickel is perfectly healthy!

Penny and Nickel’s mom Jennifer shared sad news. Penny has passed away from congestive heart failure.

Jennifer commented, “I had to let her go last night, her heartworms were so bad that she had advanced congestive heart failure and her heart was more than 3x the size of a normal heart. She went peacefully in my arms. Nickel will stay with us of course.”

Nickel is now 10-weeks old and is getting a lot of love at home. Jennifer sent DogHeirs a picture of Nickel all grown up! “She is quite the character!” says Jen.