When a 4-month-old puppy named Squish arrived at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in Ohio, USA, he was in such bad shape that he couldn’t eat. Despite his condition, Squish remained positive, wagging his tail and spreading love to everyone he met.
Veterinarians examined Squish and realized that he had a severe infection caused by a dog bite. This infection had resulted in facial deformities, making it impossible for him to open his mouth and eat. Despite their efforts to treat him with antibiotics, Squish’s health continued to decline.
The heartbreaking decision was made to euthanize Squish to end his suffering. It seemed like there was no hope for him. But those who cared for Squish couldn’t bear to give up on a puppy who had so much love to offer.
A Surprising Discovery
Before carrying out the euthanization, the veterinarians decided to get X-rays of Squish’s condition. The scans revealed something unexpected. It was discovered that Squish had suffered fractures in his skull and upper right jaw, causing his jaw to not grow properly. Scar tissue had formed, making it extremely difficult for him to open his mouth.
The only option for Squish was to undergo extensive surgery. However, there was no one willing to pay for the procedure, and no one wanted to adopt him in his sickly state.
A Night That Changed Everything
Veterinarian Danielle Boyd, who was finishing her internship at the shelter, decided to take Squish home for one night so he wouldn’t be alone in a cage. Little did she know that this decision would change Squish’s fate.
When Squish arrived at Danielle’s home, he transformed into a different dog. Despite the pain he had experienced, he showed an incredible amount of trust in people. Squish fell asleep in Danielle’s arms, and by morning, she knew she couldn’t let him be euthanized.
Veterinarian Eileen Heldmann, who had initially assessed Squish, also felt a connection to him and wanted to save his life. So she performed the surgery the following day.
Triumph over Adversity
The surgery was a success, allowing Squish to eat again. Although he lost a tooth, an eye, and part of his jaw, he emerged from the ordeal as a happy dog.
“I cried seeing his excitement as he picked up a tennis ball for the first time, and that was only the beginning of his little victories,” Danielle said.
A Match Made in Heaven
Not long before meeting Squish, Danielle had lost her own dog. It seems like fate brought them together. Both Squish and Danielle needed each other, and their bond grew stronger each day.