Every dog deserves to start life wrapped in kindness and basic safety. Unfortunately, some pups get the exact opposite, and the hardship shows up from their very first breath.
Izzy was one of them. She was pregnant when her owner left her behind, and suddenly she was on her own, trying to survive out on the streets. Eventually, she found a small bit of shelter on private property, and that’s where she gave birth to six puppies. But instead of being met with help, Izzy and her newborns were met with cruelty from the people nearby.
One of the babies, a tiny pup named Cody, ended up with a serious head injury because of the mistreatment. Izzy was scared, worn down, and helpless to fix it herself, so all she could do was wait and hope that someone with a heart would step in and save her little family.
A Desperate Effort To Rescue Them
When caring individuals discovered the distressed mother and her puppies, they immediately reached out to Rescue Row, a Texas-based non-profit. The rescue team arrived quickly and was deeply affected by the scene before them.
“Izzy is completely emaciated. She is rightfully afraid of people, and falls to her back as soon as she is approached. She is broken and mentally drained, but still sweet as ever. We can’t even begin to think about what she has been through,” Rescue Row wrote in a Facebook post.
The entire family was transported to foster care, where they finally received warmth, security, and nourishment.
Cody, however, needed urgent medical attention. He was quickly taken to Panther Creek Animal Hospital in Little Elm, Texas.
Only four weeks old and weighing just one pound, Cody could not lift his head.
Dr. Kim and the veterinary team worked rapidly to stabilize him. Once he was strong enough, he was moved into a foster home where he received fluids throughout the day to help his fragile body recover.
The Fight To Keep Him Alive
Although Cody showed early signs of improvement, a sudden decline struck several days later. His breathing became shallow, and his rescuers feared the worst.
With no time to waste, they rushed him back to Dr. Kim. The team worked around the clock to save him. Critically dehydrated, Cody was placed on an IV drip, and soon small but promising changes appeared.
He remained hospitalized for five days while Dr. Kim took him home each night to monitor him closely. His foster family visited every day, encouraged by the progress they witnessed.
Even though he stumbled often, Cody fought to walk, showing incredible determination. Gradually, he regained stability and learned to stand again.
A Tiny Warrior Finds Happiness
Ten days after his rescue, Cody was strong enough to return to his foster home. His foster dog siblings welcomed him with enthusiasm, giving him the comfort and reassurance he needed.
As he continued to heal, his confidence grew. Soon, he began playing with toys, experiencing moments of pure joy for the first time.
The injury to his right eye had left him blind, so Cody underwent surgery to have the damaged eye removed. The procedure was successful, and his recovery was swift.
By this time, Dr. Kim and his family had completely fallen in love with him. They knew they could never let him go.
Cody joined their family permanently, happy to live a life filled with affection and care. Izzy and her remaining puppies were also adopted into loving homes, each promised a future far better than their past.
Thanks to compassionate rescuers, skilled veterinarians, and de