When a Good Samaritan spotted a badly matted and neglected dog wandering near a school in Pembroke Pines, Florida, they were overcome with sadness.
The twelve-year-old dog, later named Clara, was in awful condition, starving and dehydrated. She struggled to walk due to an injury, and her fur was infested with fleas and worms.
Clara was blind, and her eyes were swollen and painful.
The compassionate individual immediately contacted the Pembroke Pines Police. The officers scanned Clara’s microchip, which was about to reveal a devastating truth.
Shocking Information About Her Owner
The scan showed that Clara had an owner in Fort Lauderdale. Police reached out to the family to let them know their dog had been found.
The officers expected the family to be overjoyed, but they were not.
The owner claimed that Clara had been missing since May 2024 and stated that they did not want to be reunited with her. The police were stunned by this response.
An investigation into Clara’s owners was launched to uncover what really happened. Authorities suspected she had been abused and abandoned.
Because Clara needed immediate medical attention, the officers contacted Angela Goodwin, founder of Pooches in Pines, an animal rescue.
Goodwin was heartbroken when she saw Clara’s condition. She committed to finding a foster home or safe place where Clara could heal.
Fighting For Her Life
The kind-hearted rescuer contacted Abandoned Pet Rescue, the only Fort Lauderdale shelter that saves animals without euthanasia.
The shelter welcomed Clara and promised to do everything possible to help her recover.
Kara Starzyk, the shelter manager, expressed gratitude to the Good Samaritan who found Clara. She noted that the dog would not have survived much longer on the streets, as she could have been hit by a car.
Veterinarians at Abandoned Pet Rescue examined Clara and discovered she had a uterine infection requiring emergency surgery.
However, Clara was anemic, making the surgery risky.
The team worked tirelessly to stabilize her so she could safely undergo the procedure. Clara showed incredible determination and began fighting for her life.
Everyone felt immense relief when she survived surgery and started recovering in a loving foster home.
A Chance To Find A Loving Home
Over the following days, Clara’s health improved. Vets prescribed antibiotics and supplements, and she began using eye drops.
Clara’s resilience became evident. She regained strength and started walking again.
Despite a life of abuse and neglect, she remained social and affectionate.
“She now barks for attention and food and she loves to rub her face in your hands and snuggle in warm blankets,” Abandoned Pet Rescue wrote on Facebook.
Although Clara requires ongoing medical checkups and daily eye drops, her caregivers believe she has many happy years ahead.
They hope she will find a quiet home with loving humans who can care for her and show her the true meaning of love.