Walking down a quiet neighborhood street in Iowa, a brown and white dog struggled to keep moving. Weakened by hunger and exhaustion, she had no one to care for her and soon grew too tired to continue. Finally, she collapsed under a bush, unable to go any further. Fortunately, Marshall Neuzil, a young man living nearby, spotted the dog hiding beneath the leaves. Instinctively, he knew what he needed to do and called his father, Jeremy, a dedicated volunteer with It Takes A Village, an animal rescue and support organization.
“When he called his dad … and told him about the emaciated dog who had made her way to their yard, this family jumped into action to help this poor pup,” It Takes A Village shared in a Facebook post.
The Neuzil family quickly took the dog to the shelter, where she was assessed and transported to Muscatine Veterinary Hospital for urgent medical treatment. The staff at the shelter decided that Marshall, who first found the dog, should be the one to choose her name.
“Marshall thought Luna was a good name for this sweet girl, so Luna is what we shall call her,” the rescue group shared in an update. Once Luna was discharged from the hospital, she moved through different foster homes as rescuers tried to find the perfect match for her recovery. Eventually, Luna found stability with a knowledgeable foster family who worked with her to develop her behavior.
“She had to be trained to restrain herself and exhibit self-control,” It Takes A Village wrote. Weeks turned into months, and the foster parents remained committed to helping Luna grow.
“After weeks, then months, of hard work and dedication, Luna has proven herself to be an absolutely wonderful companion!” the rescue group reported. When Luna finally met the family, who would become her forever home, the bond was immediate. Now, surrounded by those who cherish her, Luna can finally rest and feel secure, a fact that has brought immense gratitude to her rescuers. Thank you, It Takes A Village Rescue! To learn more about them, you can visit their Facebook page by clicking here.