Some narratives break our hearts into countless fragments, and Althea’s tale is undoubtedly one of those.
Discovered on the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada, this remarkable girl faced circumstances that can only be labeled as horrendous. At the tender age of 7, she was found weighing a mere twenty pounds, having suffered extreme starvation and neglect at the hands of her prior owner.
Fortunately, due to a compassionate community that noticed her dire situation, Althea was given a fighting chance.
Althea’s Heartbreaking Tale
The compassionate folks at Vegas Pet Rescue Project VPRP, in Las Vegas, Nevada, quickly took Althea in after being alerted by a local shelter.
Upon her arrival at VPRP, her caretakers were in utter disbelief. Althea was a glaring example of abuse and neglect, and they immediately understood that this starving soul must have led a dreadful life prior to her rescue.
She weighed only twenty-three pounds when her ideal weight should have been closer to sixty.
“She’s just skin and bones. She was only 23-24 pounds,” remarked Tina Hayes, a volunteer at the rescue, to 8 News Now.
Her plight soon captured the attention of news outlets nationwide, leaving countless individuals shocked at the cruelty that had been inflicted upon such an innocent life.
“Althea is a 7-year-old pitbull who was found on the street barely clinging to life. It was evident she had been starved before reaching this point,” reported journalist Victoria Saha on her Facebook page.
Upon admission, she was found to have fluid accumulation in her abdomen which resulted in an obstruction. To compound the situation, she exhibited a heart murmur and other complications caused by starvation.
However, Althea displayed incredible tenacity. Despite seemingly giving up while on the streets, her rescuers ignited a spark in her eyes once more. For several days, Althea battled valiantly for each breath and movement.
She was fed several small meals daily and lavished with affection from her caregivers. Additionally, she received consistent medical care in the hospital, while Hayes and other volunteers were always by her side.
The VPRP community was resolute in identifying Althea’s abuser. They even put up a reward for information leading to her abuser, which rapidly grew to tens of thousands of dollars.
The citizens of Las Vegas—and beyond—were truly committed to achieving justice for Althea and her journey.
But sadly, that was not enough.
We Will Always Remember You, Sweet Girl
This courageous girl closed her eyes one final time just days after being discovered on the streets. Despite the immense love and care she received in her last moments, Althea lost her battle for life, as her fragile body could endure no more.
She crossed the rainbow bridge, leaving everyone heartbroken.
The VPRP and their community bid farewell to this gentle soul through a poignant message on Facebook.
“The sorrow and devastation we are feeling right now are beyond what words can express. Thank you to all your supporters for their prayers and donations. The entire community fell in love with you like we did. Your will to survive was great, yet your body was simply too weary… We will continue to assist other animals in your name, sweet girl,” the rescue stated in a Facebook post.
Despite her physical absence, Althea’s spirit will forever endure. Her story will be a lasting testament to resilience and courage, and it will undoubtedly play a vital role in raising awareness about the necessity of rescuing animals in need.
Rest in peace, sweet girl! You will always be cherished!
