It’s heartbreaking when your beloved pet falls ill without warning. In such moments of confusion and fear, it’s vital to stay by their side, offering comfort, love, and reassurance — and, of course, seeking professional care from a vet.

But please, never abandon them, as they are at their most vulnerable in times like this.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to the sweet puppy in today’s story.

A Tragic Beginning

A precious pup was heartlessly thrown out of a truck and left in a landfill. Initially, she thought it was some mistake, so she ran after the truck, but when she couldn’t catch up, she collapsed on the road.

Even then, she tried to crawl, but she was too sick to continue.

Thankfully, rescuers saw her struggle and rushed to her aid. They initially thought she was pregnant due to her large belly, but quickly discovered that wasn’t the case.

Upon closer inspection, they found her belly was so swollen it looked ready to burst, but it wasn’t due to pregnancy. She was extremely malnourished, with her ribs and spine visible.

A tiny pup with a huge, swollen belly.

At the vet, the doctors were stunned. Her stomach was filled with fluid, likely due to liver failure. She also had an open, infected wound on her leg, which prevented her from walking.

A Helping Hand

In a safe environment, the pup received the care she so desperately needed.

The rescuers gave her delicious food, which she devoured quickly, preparing her for the procedure to drain her bloated stomach.

There was so much fluid in her belly that the vets had to drain it multiple times. In total, more than a gallon of fluid was removed from her.

The next step was to help this brave pup recover. With a diagnosis of liver failure, she was put on a strict medication regimen and placed under constant observation.

After a month and a half at the vet, she was finally discharged. The human who cared for her fell deeply in love with her resilience and decided to adopt her.

They named her Azalea and welcomed her into their home, where she began her new life surrounded by other dogs.

Two weeks later, Azalea went back to the vet for a check-up. The doctors were amazed to find that her liver was improving, and her medications were working.

Gone was the sad, sick puppy — now, Azalea ran around happily, demanding love and attention from anyone she met.

Azalea was finally happy!

The Final Word

Over time, I’m sure this brave little girl will fully regain her health, put on weight, and leave her dark past behind.

I hope this story reminds you that animals have emotions too, and abandoning them in their time of need can have long-lasting effects.

If your dog falls ill and you can no longer care for them, or if you’re unsure how to help, please take them to your local shelter, explain the situation, and give them a chance for a new life.