At overcrowded high-euthanasia shelters, most dogs are never given a fair shot at life. With limited resources, animals in need are often overlooked and rarely get a second chance.
Penny, a senior dog, was one of those unlucky souls.
She spent much of her life being neglected, and eventually, she was left at a shelter in Los Angeles, California.
When staff first found her, Penny couldn’t move at all—a heartbreaking condition that placed her on the shelter’s euthanasia list. But once a vet took a closer look, they uncovered a much more tragic reason for her immobility.
The Sad Reality Behind Penny’s Condition
Penny only ever wanted love, but instead, she was mistreated and ultimately left behind at a high-euthanasia shelter. Her odds of being adopted were slim to none.
Even worse, she was completely still—unable to move—which led many to believe she was suffering from a neurological disorder.
But thanks to the Beagle Freedom Project and their Save Our Seniors initiative, Penny was given one last shot.
The California-based rescue wanted to offer Penny the peaceful life she had never known. They brought her into their care and made sure she was showered with compassion before bringing her in for a thorough medical exam.
That’s when the heartbreaking truth finally came to light.
Veterinarians, who had feared Penny’s condition was permanent, discovered that she wasn’t paralyzed at all. She had been silently suffering from a severe, untreated dermatitis.
“Vets feared she was suffering with a neurological issue, leaving her mostly immobile…. But, the simple and heartbreaking truth was that years of neglect allowed a treatable case of dermatitis to become so severe that Penny was unable to move without experiencing horrific pain,” the rescue wrote in the post.
Although she had the ability to walk, Penny was simply in too much agony to try.
Thankfully, that was all about to change.
Penny’s Remarkable Journey Toward Healing
After years of suffering, Penny finally had a safe, quiet place to heal with her foster. With regular medicated baths and proper treatment, her body began to recover.
The dog once deemed hopeless transformed into a joyful companion.
Despite everything she had been through, Penny showed no signs of bitterness. She played, snuggled, and enjoyed every soft moment on the couch.
Even after a lifetime of hardship, Penny still had so much love to give.
“Even after being failed by humans before, Penny still greeted every member of my household (both human and animal alike) with kisses, cuddles, and trust. It was such a special journey to watch Penny heal!” the foster told the BFP team.
And just when it seemed like life couldn’t get better, Penny got one more surprise—her forever home.
Now named Eve, this resilient senior has finally found her place. Surrounded by love and treated like royalty, she’s living the life she always deserved.