Our furry friends are facing challenging times. Many dogs are fortunate just to arrive at a shelter, and those who find their forever homes are truly fortunate.
The tales of dogs abandoned to survive on the streets highlight the severity of the situation. But today, we bring you a particularly distressing story about a young canine discovered in the woods.
This unfortunate creature was nearing the end of his journey, suffering from dire conditions, and had all but given up hope of experiencing love again.
However, just when despair seemed certain, compassionate individuals stepped in, offering him a second chance at life.
A Heart-wrenching Situation
The rescuers from The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County encountered a Labrador Retriever named Timber in a remote area of Eatonville, Washington, and their hearts sank at his grim condition.
As per their Facebook post, this eight-month-old dog was discovered on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He was in such distress that he could not even walk.
Due to the urgency of his situation, he was quickly transported from Eatonville to the animal shelter in Tacoma, Washington, where he was treated by their veterinary professionals.
Laura Green, the shelter’s marketing coordinator, shared with Newsweek that “Timber’s eyes were deeply sunken, and he showed signs of lethargy, severe dehydration, and an increased heart rate.”
Yet these concerns paled in comparison to the major threat Timber was battling: canine parvovirus, a critical disease compromising his health.
As highlighted by WebMD, parvovirus is one of the most devastating viruses affecting dogs, capable of being fatal if not treated properly. This virus particularly targets young puppies like Timber.
It’s a tremendous relief that dedicated individuals found Timber in the forest that fateful day. Had they arrived a moment later, the outcome could have been tragically different.
A Hopeful Path Forward
When the rescuers first encountered Timber, their sorrow only intensified their resolve to save his young life. They poured their hearts into caring for him.
Crucially, Timber was discovered just in time and received the necessary medical care.
“Immediate medical intervention is crucial once a dog is infected, to provide a fighting chance against the illness,” Green remarked. “Timber arrived at our facility precisely in time to receive treatment and initiate his recovery journey.”
This was one of the most uplifting days at the shelter in Tacoma, Washington. However, while his life was saved, Timber still faces a long road to complete recovery.
“Timber may have left the forest, but he’s not entirely in the clear yet,” Green added. “Although the path ahead is lengthy, he has been remarkably gentle and cooperative throughout his treatment.”
Fortunately, the shelter staff managed to secure a foster home for Timber. Having someone to love and care for him is essential for every dog, and a foster home can provide that, even if temporarily.
This care is especially vital for Timber, who, in addition to his physical ailments, bears emotional scars that need a nurturing heart to mend.
We sincerely hope that “foster” soon transforms into “forever.” That would be the ultimate reward for all he has endured, as well as for the compassionate souls who rescued him from the shadows of the forest.
@tacomahumane Alone in the woods, he was slowly dying without any hope in sight. On Wednesday, Timber was found stranded in a wooded Eatonville area, incapacitated and unable to walk on his own. He was carried out to safety and brought to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, where our caring veterinary team was waiting to assess the fading dog. The 8-month-old Labrador’s eyes were deeply sunken due to severe dehydration, and he coated his kennel in bloody diarrhea. A test revealed what our team suspected, parvovirus was wreaking havoc on his organs, and without immediate intervention, he was susceptible to a slow, painful death. Our veterinary team immediately began intensive treatment, including a $1,200 antibody medicine, to give Timber his best chance for survival. Fighting parvovirus is expensive, time-consuming, and requires round-the-clock care, IV fluids, nutritious food, and more. Timber will continue to receive hydrating fluids and medications to ease his nausea and diarrhea until he clears the virus. His recovery will take weeks, but with your help, our compassionate team will continue to care for him as he fights for his life. Your donation today will put life-saving resources directly in the hands of our pet care team to treat Timber and all the dogs, cats, and critters who need it most. Donate on this post or use the link in the Linktree in our Bio.
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