Della’s story is one of resilience and love, beginning just before Christmas when she was abandoned at a local Walmart. Scared, confused, and sad, she was noticed by a kind soul who quickly called Domestic Animal Services (DAS). With no microchip to identify her, DAS immediately reached out to Max’s Ark, knowing our commitment to small rescues. We didn’t hesitate to jump into action.
This sweet girl had clearly been through a lot. Della was a breeding mother; her swollen teats were still full of milk, a sign of recent litters. She hadn’t been groomed in a very long time, and her dew claws had been removed—an all-too-common sign of being born to a backyard breeder or a puppy mill.
Her first visit to the veterinarian revealed that, thankfully, she was not carrying any babies. The vet quickly scheduled her spay surgery, along with vaccinations and a heartworm test. We were relieved to learn that her heartworm test came back negative, and she began her recovery in her new foster home.
Just two days later, Della was back at the veterinarian, this time for a dental check. The neglect and abuse she’d suffered became even more apparent: her jaw was infected, and the front portion was broken, likely due to the infection. Several teeth had to be removed.
Through it all, her foster mom was by her side, holding her for hours, gently caressing her, and showering her with the love she had been denied for so long.
As Della’s jaw healed, a new dog began to emerge. She followed her foster mom everywhere, never wanting to be apart from her. The bond that developed between them was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before it became clear—this was a foster failure in the making!
Della’s journey from abandonment to love is a testament to the power of rescue and the incredible transformations that can happen when a dog is given a second chance.
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