A dog with a severely swollen face, each cheek puffed out as if stuffed with tennis balls, wandered aimlessly, clearly in pain. Her condition made even the simple act of eating a challenge. The emaciated creature appeared exhausted, suggesting she had traveled far before arriving at her current location. As a man passed by, the dog approached him eagerly. Her tail wagged in an attempt to appear friendly, and her eyes silently pleaded for help.
Most people had been put off by the dog’s strange appearance, shooing her away. But this man saw beyond the dog’s disfigurement, feeling only pity and compassion. The dog obediently sat before him, looking confused yet desperate for assistance. The man immediately decided to intervene and rushed the animal to a veterinary clinic.
Once there, the vet discovered the cause of the swelling—multiple bee stings, particularly around the sensitive areas of the cheeks. These stings had caused significant swelling, making it painful for the dog to move or eat. The vet warned that if left untreated, the risk of tissue damage or necrosis was high. It was a stroke of luck, or perhaps fate, that the man had acted when he did.
The vet also noted the dog’s frail condition. She was clearly undernourished. After receiving treatment, including medication to ease the swelling and pain, the dog began to eat. She devoured the food hungrily as if she hadn’t eaten in days. Despite her swollen cheeks, the dog’s attempt to eat was a relief, bringing smiles to those watching.
Merida is a senior who was found abandoned in a backyard with her sibling who had passed away. She was left to fend for herself as an 11-year-old with diabetes. Thankfully, Kanoa Rescue Foundation stepped in to save her, but she still needs your help!
Thanks to the compassion of this kind stranger, the dog was given a chance to recover and start a new chapter. May every stray animal find someone who sees their worth and extends a helping hand.
Toledo, United States.
