Paralyzed Rottweiler Brutally Dumped Almost Gave Up Hope
When Isabel Zapata and her friends found Susanna the Rottweiler their hearts broke.
She was starving, dehydrated and couldn’t walk and was covered in fleas and had been abandoned by a dumpster in an area in Florida known as a dumping ground for unwanted pets.
“We can’t even begin to imagine the pain and suffering she has been through – she has been discarded like a piece of garbage, she is lying in a dump among the debris, pieces of trash, decomposed food, dirt, pieces of wood, plastic cups, styrofoam, and metal,” wrote Yolanda Ramirez, with Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue. “Her weak, fragile and exhausted body is about to give up.”
Isabel Zapata filmed the moment she arrived to save Susanna. The team placed her in a green tarp to carry her to their car. They were so worried and concerned for her, they didn’t immediately realize “he” was a “she”. “Oh my God. We are going to take you to the doctor right now baby. OK?” Zapata said in the cellphone video.
Zapata called Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue (GGARR), a volunteer organization dedicated to the breed. When Yolanda Ramirez, one of the founders of GGAR saw the video, her heart broke.
They immediately took her to Mueller Animal Hospital where they worked to stabilize her and figure out why she couldn’t walk.
She began to show signs of life after several days of intensive care, telling her rescuers she wants to live.
While in their care, Susanna reached out to kiss her caregivers.
Yolanda says Susanna is very, very loving.
Testing by medical specialists revealed that the 3-year-old dog already had arthritis and physical deformities to her legs. She had likely been kept in a crate too small for her, causing her crippling. They also figure she had been used as a breeding dog, but likely was dumped when she grew too ill.
The veterinary staff looking after her, and the team at GGARR banded together to do everything in their power to help Susanna heal.
With pain medications and exercise in the pool, Susanna began to walk!
The water therapy is helping her so much, and knowing she has people who lover her and are looking after her has given her hope.
She has begun to smile and be happy. She loves other dogs…
And belly rubs…
And loves everyone she meets.
Susanna is in foster care and her rescuers can’t wait for the day that some lucky family will get to adopt her and discover what a spectacular dog she is.
To help Susanna with her recovery, visit Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue.
Pupdate:
Susanna has found her forever home! A few months after her rescue she met Laurie. Laurie had just lost her rescue dog of 11 years and decided to come meet Susanna and the first thing she told her was “Susanna, you are safe.” After a few more visits, Laurie came and picked Susanna up to bring her home. Susanna, you are safe!
