Maria’s early life was far from easy.
This gentle girl had so much love to give, yet her previous owners left her behind. Instead of embracing her affectionate nature and sweet personality, she was abandoned in harsh circumstances.
Sadly, Maria was discovered in an alleyway, her condition alarming. She could barely walk, held her head low, was covered in fleas, and was in extremely serious health.
For her rescuers, watching her struggle to keep going was heartbreaking.
She Was On The Brink
Just when hope seemed lost, a ray of light appeared. Maria was found in Norristown, Pennsylvania, by a police officer named Christopher.
“We found a younger female dog that was so weak and tired that she could barely stand up on her own. She clearly has had a terrible first year of life and was about to give up,” Christopher stated on Facebook.
Chris immediately realized Maria was in critical condition. He contacted Philly Bully Team, who rushed her to the hospital without delay.
Months of neglect had taken a severe toll on Maria. She weighed only nineteen pounds, was lethargic, had little appetite, and had very low blood pressure.
“This did not happen overnight. Maria got this way from weeks, months of neglect. She’s also covered in fleas,” the Pennsylvania rescue added in the post.
Thanks to her caregivers, Maria survived, though a long journey to recovery lay ahead.
Day by day, she received medication consistently, was monitored around the clock, and visited by PBT volunteers.
Eventually, Maria was diagnosed with cat scratch fever, caused by the Bartonella bacteria. In her case, this condition required long-term antibiotics and supportive care.
The good news was that she was matched with the perfect foster who agreed to care for her over the long term.
Heartwarming Transformation
Maia Hottinger’s home proved ideal for Maria. She had a loving foster and a comfortable environment where she could start healing. That was exactly what Maria needed.
Within just a few weeks, Maria’s health improved. She began eating, wagging her tail, and meeting her foster siblings. Her energy returned quickly, and she blossomed into a happy, lively dog.
“She loves meeting new people. She’s just so happy all the time. It’s hard to believe that she’s come this far, we’re grateful for her. It’s been really rewarding to watch her transformation,” Maia told GeoBeats Animals.
Maia and her family were thrilled to see Maria’s progress. She was a sweet companion who loved being surrounded by her new family.
Although she’s not fully recovered yet, Maria is now out of immediate danger. She no longer struggles to stay strong and is eager to meet new people.
However, she is not yet ready for adoption.
“She’s actually not ready to find a home yet. She has another vet check in two months and we’ll continue fostering her till then and she should be up for adoption after that,” Maia concludes.
While waiting for her full recovery, Maria’s main goal is simple: to enjoy every moment of fun and adventure at Maia’s home.
Follow her daily updates on Maia’s Instagram to watch this sweet girl’s progress. Her future is full of promise and joy.