When dogs endure painful experiences, they often rely on instinct to protect themselves. Many retreat from the world, unsure of who they can trust again.
Rescuers face this reality every day. Their work brings both moments of triumph and situations that break their hearts, especially when they encounter animals who have survived cruelty.
Billy was one of those dogs. His rescuers were stunned when they found him tucked deep inside a crawlspace beneath a house in Mississippi. He had been shot multiple times, leaving him terrified and extremely difficult to reach.
A Troubling Discovery
When rescuer Say Smith received a call about a small dog believed to have been shot, she went to the location immediately.
Billy had injuries on his legs and, in panic, dragged himself under a nearby home for shelter.
“I don’t know for sure if he actually has 3 bullet holes in him but I do know for sure 2 of his legs are hurt. I’m about to head back out with a trap to try to get him out from under the house,” Say wrote in a Facebook post.
Say found him, but he had crawled so far under the house that reaching him by hand was impossible.
The team spent hours trying to gain his trust. They left food, spoke softly, and tried to comfort him, but Billy was too afraid to come out. Although he accepted the food, he kept himself hidden.
Say refused to leave him behind. She returned early the next morning with her team and continued working patiently to guide Billy into the trap. After hours of effort, he finally stepped inside around 5 PM.
“I’m about to cry tears of joy! He put me through 10 hours of hell but he’s safe now! We’re headed straight to the vet,” Say shared online.
Billy had been without water or food for two days, so the rescuers rushed him to the clinic.
There, vets confirmed that his condition was worse than they thought. In addition to gunshot wounds, he had a broken leg and anemia.
His recovery would require time and specialized care, and Say understood he needed a stable foster home to heal properly.
A Fresh Start In Foster Care
With Say’s help, Billy was transferred to PAWS New England for further treatment. He was placed with medical foster Denise Belt, who greeted him with patience and gentle care.
In the beginning, Billy avoided everyone. He hid whenever he could and preferred to remain out of sight. While his physical wounds slowly improved, his emotional recovery was far more complex.
Denise respected his space, offering quiet reassurance and placing food nearby so he could approach when he felt comfortable.
Small Steps Toward Trust
After several days of hiding, Billy finally made his first move forward.
“I’m getting a few tail wags now and this morning, he actually ventured into the kitchen a few steps to see what I was doing,” Denise told PAWS England, according to their post.
It was a small moment, but a meaningful one, showing he was beginning to feel secure.
With continued care, Billy’s confidence will keep growing. Every hesitant step and every tail wag marks progress on his path to healing.
When he is fully recovered, both inside and out, Billy will be ready to search for a forever home. For now, he is learning what safety and kindness truly feel like.
Thanks to determined rescuers and a patient foster mom, Billy finally has a real chance at the happy life he should have always known.