One day in Texas, a tiny, fragile puppy crawled under Abigail’s car, crying softly for someone to notice her.
Her little body was painfully thin, almost skeletal, showing how malnourished and weak she had become.
Compassionate rescuers arrived, offering food and water while giving her space, aware that every movement made her tremble in fear.
After a while, the timid pup gathered enough courage to step out from her hiding place.
Ellie’s First Steps To Safety
When the puppy, later named Ellie, finally emerged from under the car, Abigail carefully slipped a leash around her.
Terrified and shutting down, “She just kind of went into turtle mode,” Abigail told The Dodo.
Immediate medical attention was the top priority. Given her condition, rescuers worried she might have contracted parvo, a dangerous virus that can be fatal.
Thankfully, the results offered relief.
“Our vet told us that she had been eating so much garbage, her stomach was really suffering. But in a few weeks she should be good as new,” Abigail said.
Ellie had survived by scavenging whatever she could find, but now she was safe with someone committed to helping her heal.
At only six months old, Ellie was still a baby. Beneath her dry, patchy fur, she turned out to be a Golden Retriever mix.
During her first days at Abigail’s home, Ellie remained withdrawn and fearful.
“She was completely unresponsive for the first couple of days. But she learned that we weren’t going to hurt her. It was really just a matter of trying to get her to come out of her shell,” Abigail said.
Slowly, Ellie began adjusting to her new life, little by little.
Finding Happiness And Playfulness
After a few days, Ellie finally had enough energy to explore outside.
“The tennis ball, she saw it and she was immediately just hooked. She wanted to play, she has that in her. From that point onwards, she was just so much better,” Abigail recalled.
Watching Ellie chase a ball and play like a normal puppy was a joyful milestone.
Her true personality started shining through. She became a playful, goofy pup, and her coat improved each day with proper care.
“We really made sure that she allowed herself to feel comfortable.”
From that point forward, Ellie blossomed into a radiant Golden girl with a full, shiny coat and a vibrant personality.
She discovered a love for car rides, often sticking her head and paws out the window to enjoy the breeze.
Her first visit to the beach marked a major milestone in her journey.
“She started digging and she got an insane case of the zoomies and she was running around the beach, staring out into the ocean. She loved it. It was such a monumental moment for her.”
From a weak, abandoned pup hiding under a car to a lively, energetic young dog, Ellie’s transformation is nothing short of remarkable.
Her story is a testament to resilience and the healing power of love.
