If you’re dedicated to saving the lives of dogs, there’s one unspoken truth: you never know when you’ll stumble upon something truly heartbreaking.
It’s both overwhelming and motivating to realize that sometimes, you’re the only thing standing between a dog surviving or giving up.
Suzette Hall, a veteran rescuer from Southern California, and her team know that all too well. They’ve seen everything: abandoned pups, critically hurt dogs, and those just barely hanging on. Through all their rescues, one principle remained—never give up. And they didn’t.
Just like they didn’t walk away when they discovered Tillie crying in the bushes.
She Was In Severe Pain
Even with all her experience, Hall was heartbroken the moment she first saw Tillie. The pup lay motionless in the bushes, unwilling to move at all.
At first, the cause was unclear, until they saw the truth: Tillie was seriously injured and physically couldn’t stand. All she could do was whimper in pain, hoping for the suffering to end.
“This poor little puppy has been crying in the bushes since yesterday. She cannot stand up,” Hall wrote in her initial Facebook post.
Hall and her team knew they had no time to waste. They gently picked her up and placed her in the car. Soon, Tillie arrived at the vet for her first examination.
The outlook wasn’t great. Based on her condition, they initially suspected a spinal injury. Thankfully, the actual results were slightly more hopeful.
Tests revealed that Tillie had a broken pelvis. Though serious, it could be managed with strong pain relief and careful treatment over the coming weeks.
“I have named her Tillie. Poor baby was in so much pain. She has a fractured pelvis… She has pain meds and getting lots of love. She will never have to beg for help ever again,” Hall added in another post.
Thankfully, she didn’t suffer from any other injuries.
Despite everything, Tillie was still a fighter—and thanks to her rescuers, she now had a real chance at life.
And she was more than ready to take it.
In the days that followed, Hall encouraged her supporters to help Tillie find a loving foster home.
Thankfully, the wait was short.
A Beautiful Update
Just four days later, Hall returned to Facebook with the sweetest update: Tillie had found her foster home.
She was welcomed by kind caregivers committed to helping her heal at her own pace. For now, she needs strict crate rest and short outdoor breaks until she’s strong enough to walk again.
“She does have a fractured pelvis and just needs cage rest, small potty breaks outside, and love,” Hall added.
One thing is certain: Tillie is exactly where she belongs. She’s with people who adore her, learning what it means to be part of a family.
When she’s fully healed, she’ll be ready to search for a forever home.
Until then, one thing is sure: Tillie will never be alone again.