Halo, a frail Pitbull, was discovered deep inside a forest in Mississippi, curled up tightly as if trying to disappear.
Rescuers had been told about an aggressive dog hiding in the woods, but when they arrived, the truth was far more devastating.
Halo showed no sign of aggression.
She was blind, dangerously thin, and so weak that she likely would not have survived much longer without someone stepping in to help.
Alone, Hungry, And Struggling To Stay Alive
Stacey and her husband, Mike, have spent years rescuing animals across Mississippi.
If you have ever adopted a dog through Lucky Dog Refuge, there is a strong chance Stacey was involved in the process.
Halo soon became one of their most unforgettable rescues.
When they approached her, they saw a dog who looked completely depleted, her ribs visible through her skin. With gentle coaxing and food, Stacey and Mike slowly encouraged her to come out of hiding, though her condition was alarming.
Everything about her appearance suggested she had been deprived of basic care for a long time.
She likely spent years without proper shelter or nutrition and may have been exploited for breeding before being abandoned.
“Her ears were cut with a pair of scissors, and she was most likely used for breeding. One eye is injured and damaged, the other is blind probably from an eye disease that should have been treated,” Stacey Frazier wrote in her Facebook post.
It was heartbreaking to imagine what she had lived through, but the nightmare was finally over.
Healing Through Patience And Care
They named her Halo, unsure if she would make it, but she kept fighting.
Stacey brought her home and began treating her infections with antibiotics while slowly introducing her to nutritious meals. There were moments of doubt, yet Halo continued to surprise everyone with her resilience.
“We knew that her sight was definitely impaired, but we didn’t know if she was fully blind until the doctor confirmed it. We do think that she can see shadows, but she’ll just walk right into a telephone pole,” Jessica from Lucky Dog Refuge told The Dodo.
In Stacey’s care, Halo experienced gentle treatment for the first time in her life. She slowly relaxed, wagged her tail, and learned to trust again.
Her recovery took several months. Once she regained her strength, she traveled to the rescue’s facility in Connecticut to continue her journey.
A Second Chance And A Family Of Her Own
When Halo arrived at the shelter, she was bursting with joy, a completely different dog from the one found in the forest.
Staff quickly discovered that she adored ice cream, and she lit up every time she received a treat.
“She lets us know every day that she’s grateful for everything that she has now. She’s just an angel,” Jessica said.
Even though she was thriving, Halo still needed a forever home. That changed when a loving family stepped forward to adopt her, and they chose to bring home her best friend, Layne, as well. Now the bonded pair never have to be apart again.
Enjoy your new chapter, Halo. You truly deserve it.