Our furry companions often rely on instinct to cope with trauma. When they’ve been hurt or abused, rebuilding trust takes time, no matter how compassionate we are.
Animal rescuers understand this deeply. Their tireless efforts to save animals frequently come with heartbreaking setbacks.
One such case involved a dog named Billy, who shocked his rescuers by hiding deep inside a crawlspace under a home in Mississippi. After being shot multiple times, Billy was terrified of people, turning his rescue into a difficult ordeal.
Grim Discovery Of His Condition
When Mississippi rescuer Say Smith received a report about a small dog possibly being shot, she acted immediately.
Billy had multiple leg wounds and instinctively limped to a nearby house, crawling underneath for shelter.
“I don’t know for sure if he actually has 3 bullet holes in him but I do know for sure 2 of his legs are hurt. I’m about to head back out with a trap to try to get him out from under the house,” Say wrote in a Facebook post.
Say and her team soon found Billy’s hiding spot, but he had wedged himself so far into the crawlspace that reaching him was nearly impossible.
The rescuers spent the night offering food and softly speaking to him, hoping to coax him out. While Billy accepted the food, he remained unwilling to come out.
Say refused to give up. After a brief break, she and her team returned early the next day and spent hours trying to guide Billy into the trap. By around 5 PM, they finally succeeded.
“I’m about to cry tears of joy! He put me through 10 hours of hell but he’s safe now! We’re headed straight to the vet,” Say reported in an update post.
Knowing how dehydrated and hungry Billy must have been after two days alone, the team wasted no time getting him to emergency care.
Unfortunately, vets discovered more than just bullet injuries. Billy also had a broken leg and anemia, requiring constant medical attention. Say knew exactly where he needed to go next.
A Second Chance In A Foster Home
Thanks to Say’s determination, Billy was safely transported to PAWS New England for continued care. There, he was placed in the home of medical foster Denise Belt, who welcomed him with warmth and patience.
Still, Billy remained withdrawn at first. For days, he avoided contact and stayed hidden, struggling to trust his new surroundings.
Though his physical health was improving, his emotional scars ran deep. But Denise remained patient and hopeful.
She gave him space, gently offering food and quiet reassurance.
Then, Billy began to open up—slowly but surely.
One morning, while Denise was in the kitchen, Billy decided to quietly follow her and keep her company.
“I’m getting a few tail wags now and this morning, he actually ventured into the kitchen a few steps to see what I was doing,” Denise told PAWS England, according to the post.
After isolating himself for so long, Billy was finally starting to feel safe and loved.
When he’s fully ready, Billy will begin the search for a forever family. Until then, he’s learning to enjoy life again—one small, brave step at a time.