It’s not every day that someone finds an unfamiliar animal in their own yard — especially one so unrecognizable due to its condition.
That’s exactly what happened to Sharon Betrozzi in Folsom, California, when she spotted what she believed to be a sick, elderly dog curled up beneath her porch.
The morning air was cold, and the creature lay motionless against the concrete, barely breathing.
Concerned and unsure of what to do, Sharon contacted City of Folsom Animal Services. As she waited nearby, the animal’s matted fur and shallow breaths only heightened her worry.
A Shocking Discovery Beneath The Porch
By the time animal services personnel arrived, nearly four hours after the creature had lain motionless. They quickly realized this wasn’t a typical stray.
The team gently coaxed the animal out and discovered it wasn’t a dog at all, it was a juvenile coyote in extremely poor health.
A closer look confirmed the truth. Mud-caked fur and emaciated limbs revealed the young coyote was in critical condition. Recognizing the urgency, the officers acted swiftly to prepare her for transport.
A Facebook post from City of Folsom Animal Services later explained that the coyote was suffering from advanced sarcoptic mange, which had severely damaged her skin and left her dangerously dehydrated.
The officers carefully placed her in a ventilated carrier and transported her to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Loomis, California.
Before loading her into the vehicle, they gave her the name Princess, and offered gentle words of encouragement for the road ahead.
Fighting To Save Her Life
When Princess arrived at GCWR, staff immediately saw the extent of her suffering. Her eyes were dull, her fur was falling out in clumps, and her skin was raw and inflamed.
They began treatment right away, administering fluids beneath her skin and starting medication to fight the mange and ease her discomfort.
“She was bathed to help remove some of the dead skin and to make her feel more comfortable. The next morning we were pleased to see that she drank all of the water and special diet food we had left with her overnight. She started scratching less and eating more.” said Sallysue Stein, president of GCWR’s board of directors, in an interview with The Dodo.
Over the following days, Princess began to improve. Her caregivers gently removed scabs during medicated baths and cleaned each wound with care.
They monitored her closely, provided soft bedding, and watched as her strength slowly returned.
Before long, Princess was ready to take the next step in her recovery.
Preparing For Life In The Wild Again
Although GCWR determined Princess was healthy enough for release, they didn’t send her straight back into the wild.
Instead, she was transferred to Sierra Wildlife Rescue, where she could regain her instincts among other coyotes.
There, she practiced natural behaviors like stalking through brush and interacting with her peers, all under the supervision of trained wildlife specialists.
In just a few months, Princess had transformed. No longer the fragile creature found under a porch, she was now a strong, alert young coyote ready to return to her natural habitat.
Her release was a powerful moment, a symbol of resilience after everything she had endured.
And though she now roams free, she surely carries the memory of those who gave her a second chance.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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