Dog ‘Broken in Spirit’ After Abandonment and Loss of Leg Gets Happy Ending

A rescue dog abandoned in such a distressing state of health that one of her legs had to be amputated has finally found happiness.

Paws New England, a foster-based shelter, first learned about Primrose’s situation after receiving a call from an unidentified individual who was threatening to “shoot her.”

“They claimed someone dumped her on their property and they wanted her gone or they were going to have someone come shoot her,” a Paws New England spokesperson told Newsweek.

Paws engaged with one of its foster carers, Misty Goodson, who lives in Mississippi, close to where Primrose was. Goodson wasted little time in going to pick Primrose up to make sure she was safe.

It immediately became apparent that, whatever the circumstances surrounding her previous owner, Primrose had not been well looked after.

“Primrose was found close to Southaven. She had a broken elbow, was starving, and very broken in spirit,” the Paws New England spokesperson said. “We don’t know how she was injured originally, but no one had helped her.”

The one thing Primrose had going for her at that point was the fact she had appeared on Paws New England’s radar. The shelter covered the costs of her veterinary care, which included treatments against fleas and ticks, as well as surgery.

“She had surgery to amputate her front leg and shoulder as it was not feasible to repair it,” the Paws New England spokesperson said. “She’s done amazingly well since surgery and is ambulating reasonably well, but we still think she will need some personal training and strengthening.”

Paws New England is also the reason she came into the care of Goodson. As a foster carer, Goodson has seen countless dogs transformed under her watch. It is a reminder of the incredible impact a little love and tenderness can have on a dog.

It’s an impact backed up by research. In 2018, a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found that just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to boost the well-being of a shelter dog.

Primrose has certainly been boosted by her stay with Goodson, who has learned more and more about her new foster pup’s special personality.

“She loves to go outside, walks on a leash, rides, treats and lying down in her giant crate with a big soft bed, alone with her stuffed Kong Fox,” Goodson told Newsweek. “She also loves to cuddle and play with other big dogs!”

No one knows what the future holds for Primrose, but her outlook is considerably brighter. “She has adopted and should be heading to her new home in the next two weeks,” the Paws New England spokesperson said.

When she was first discovered, Primrose really was broken in spirit. But, with a little love and care, she has been rebuilt and is now ready to live and love again.