“You could literally see the color rush back to her gums and the life into her eyes” ❤️️
Elli Smith was in the midst of rescuing a dog from the Arizona Humane Society when she came across another pup in desperate need of her assistance.
“I looked in the parking lot and saw this lady running in with an animal in her hands that was completely limp and not moving,” Sky Sanctuary Rescue founder Smith told The Dodo. “I was like, ‘Oh no, I know how the Humane Society works, and I know this animal will be euthanized.'”
Smith dashed to the lobby, where she overheard the woman requesting assistance with the puppy from the front desk. Smith then introduced herself and handed the lady her business card, just in case.
“I got in the car and thought, ‘Please call me.’ Please call me,’ because I knew that puppy wasn’t going to make it,” Smith explained. “Within 10 minutes, she called me and said they wanted to euthanize the puppy, and I said, ‘No way.'” Bring it right now to my vet.'”
Penelope, a 3-week-old puppy, was covered in ticks and required an immediate blood transfusion. Fortunately, the vet had the ideal candidate.
Murphy, the vet’s pet dog, was rushed to the hospital, where he immediately took a liking to the puppy. “He was very curious, as if to say, ‘What is this little thing?'” Smith stated.
The puppy was revived with just a few syringes of Murphy’s blood. Smith wrote on Instagram, “You could literally see the color rush back to her gums and the life back into her eyes.” “This was such a special occasion. “I’m sure Penelope is grateful for Murphy… her hero.”
Rachel Hendricks, the practice manager at Pet Urgent Care, took the puppy home once Penelope was out of the woods so she could bottle-feed her around the clock. In the meantime, Smith worked to find and release Penelope’s mother.
Penelope’s mother, Petunia, and 25 other dogs were living in a fenced-in pen outside. Petunia lived her entire life in a dirt hole, exposed to the sun, wind, and elements. Smith persuaded the property owner to let her take Petunia and other sick or injured dogs.
Petunia and Penelope were reunited after being treated for ticks, and they couldn’t have been happier to see each other again.
Petunia began licking her baby and allowed her to nurse right away. When the two dogs were reunited, their personalities completely changed. “[Petunia] is very outgoing and enjoys rolling on her back and getting belly rubs,” Smith said. “Of course, Penelope just loves being comforted and, especially, having her mother back.”
Petunia and her baby will be cared for in a loving foster home until Penelope is 9 to 10 weeks old. Then it will be time for both pups to start looking for their own family.
Smith hopes to find one who will provide the dogs with the care and attention they deserve, as well as plenty of belly rubs.
Leave a Reply