Life isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about quality and making every moment count – a sentiment that Beans would surely echo if he could speak. When his breeder surrendered him to a Florida shelter, he wasn’t given a chance. His caregivers were told this little Bulldog wouldn’t see his first birthday due to serious genetic and physical issues. What no one knew then was that Beans was a fighter!
He Wasn’t Expected To Make It To His First Birthday
Beans’ situation was dire. After being surrendered, he was labeled a hospice patient by his neurologist and was only one-third of the weight he should have been at ten weeks. However, this didn’t deter Karey, a medical foster for Suncoast Animal League in Florida, from giving him a chance. “Beans was determined to be surviving with scoliosis, spina bifida, shortened spinal cord syndrome, hydrocephalus, shallow hip sockets & rotary nystagmus. He is about 1/3 of the size he should be at just 27lbs,” Karey wrote on Instagram.
Beans was given only a few months to live, which pushed Karey to devise a plan quickly. “We were told he probably wouldn’t make it to his first birthday, so I took him home,” she shared with GeoBeats Animals.
Upon bringing him home, she introduced him to her other two rescue dogs, Denali and Hugo. Her goal was to provide the best life possible for Beans, not knowing that he would thrive in this nurturing environment. Despite his challenges, Beans embraced his new home wholeheartedly, playing with his dog siblings and displaying remarkable resilience. He even reached his first birthday, which felt nothing short of a miracle!
Karey realized then that Beans was undeniably a fighter, determined not to allow his condition to hinder his joy. And fortunately, he wasn’t in any pain. Beans continued to learn how to live life fully, blissfully unaware that he was different from other dogs. His incredible spirit helped him overcome every obstacle, including an emergency surgery in his second year when his body unexpectedly failed him. After days of recovery, Beans emerged victorious and resumed life as if nothing had happened.
Recently, he celebrated his second birthday in his loving home, and he is stronger than ever!
Beans, A Certified Therapy Dog, A Lover, And A Miracle
Putting aside his health challenges, it’s safe to say that Beans has everything he desires and more: a loving family, a home, two wonderful siblings, and a supportive community. Karey has created a nurturing environment for him, filled with love and adventure. “Knowing that Beans’ life would be limited by time, we wanted to ensure that the time he DOES have is filled with love & adventures,” she added.
What’s even more incredible is that Beans is now a certified therapy dog, visiting hospitals and schools, teaching people that being different is not a limitation. Beans has found purpose beyond expectations: he’s not only a hospice survivor but also a loving companion, a therapist, a miracle, and the best friend anyone could hope for!
