Most dogs treat toys as sources of joy. They snuggle them, chew them, toss them around, and sometimes drift off to sleep with them nestled under their paws. For many pups, toys represent comfort and playfulness.
But for Wilson, a rescue dog with a difficult beginning, toys served a far more heartbreaking purpose. He didn’t hold them for fun, he needed them to survive.
A Puppy’s Fight To Breathe
Wilson’s life began with adversity. At just six weeks old, he was rescued from the streets of California and brought to Natalia, founder of Tales of the Paw. Unlike most puppies, Wilson arrived with serious medical challenges.
An injury had left him unable to breathe through his nose. His only way to get air was by keeping his mouth open.
That’s when his unusual connection to toys began.
Wilson didn’t chew or play with his toys. Instead, he used them to prop his mouth open so he could breathe.
“He started using toys to keep his mouth open to have an open passageway for breathing. He had an abscess on his nose from a previous injury and he couldn’t really breathe,” Natalia told GeoBeats Animals.
Knowing this wasn’t sustainable, Natalia searched for a solution. Eventually, a surgical option gave Wilson a chance at a better life.
Veterinarians performed a delicate surgery, inserting a tube into Wilson’s nasal passage and securing it with small buttons for several weeks. As scar tissue developed, it created a permanent opening, allowing Wilson to breathe and smell, something he had never truly experienced.
For the first time, Wilson could live without relying on toys to keep him alive. The change was transformative.
Helping Kittens Live Fully
After his recovery, Wilson didn’t just thrive, he began helping others.
He became a key figure in Natalia’s fostering work, taking on the role of big brother to kittens who needed socialization before adoption.
To Natalia and the veterinary team, Wilson became something truly special: a “unicorn.”
Wilson cared for each kitten with tenderness and patience. He made sure they had food, rest, and play, and helped them learn how to interact with people and other animals.
“They are not afraid of stuff, they come up to people, they integrated with the family animals right away, and I do believe truly that that is thanks to Wilson spending so much time with them,” Natalia said.
Wilson’s compassion extended far beyond his own healing.
“Wilson is such a sweetheart and breed ambassador. Wilson has fostered over 80 foster kittens and 20 pups. From broken down to Rescue Superstar,” the California rescue shared on Instagram.
Despite the pain he endured early in life, Wilson grew into a gentle, loving dog who now helps others find their way. His story is a powerful reminder that love and care can mend even the deepest wounds.You can follow Wilson and Natalia’s ongoing rescue work on their Instagram and Facebook pages.