Can you imagine seeing a 15-pound dog being brought to your shelter on a stretcher, all because of people who chose to abuse and neglect her? Me neither! Unfortunately, this is a harsh reality in shelters all over the United States.
Due to abusive owners, dogs like Meleys don’t have a decent chance to begin with. Instead, they spend what little lives they have trying to recover, but many never do.
Meleys, however, was a miracle. She was a fighter who decided not to give up, even when everything seemed hopeless. And, to be fair, her entire life story was indeed filled with despair… until now!
She Survived Against All Odds
Meleys was first brought to a Newark shelter after she was found to be in horrific condition. Her initial caregivers discovered her lying in the cold and in her own feces.
She was so weak and shut down in every way possible that they even had to carry her to the shelter on a stretcher.
Meleys barely had the strength to lift her head, let alone stand or walk.
She was later transferred to Twenty Paws Rescue, in New York after her Newark caregivers couldn’t provide her with proper care.
“Cruel, heartless, and disgusting. Left in such bad shape she had to be brought in on a stretcher,” the New York City rescue wrote on Facebook.
The biggest shock was that Meleys was, in fact, eleven months old. It remains a mystery how she managed to survive all this time under such circumstances.
“She is 11 months, helpless, but somehow was able to survive,” they added.
One thing is for sure, though. This dog is a fighter! That’s why Rachel, the co-founder of the New York rescue named after Meleys, the dragon from “House of the Dragon” show. Just like her namesake, Meleys is strong, fierce, and a survivor!
After receiving stabilizing treatment from TPR, there was only one thing left for Meleys – to find a suitable foster home.
Rachel contacted the most experienced professionals she worked with, and eventually found one perfect for the dog: the Massachusetts-based foster, Donna.
From A 15-Pound Pup To A Brand-New Dog
When Meleys was leaving the rescue, Rachel and Donna knew her recovery would not be easy. There was a long, complex road ahead of this emaciated girl, yet Donna knew exactly what to do.
The two began slowly, incorporating small meals into Meleys’ feeding plan. They spent the rest of the day bonding with each other, trying to get the best out of Meleys. The good news was, it didn’t take long for the dog to reveal her true colors!
As it turned out, Meleys didn’t have a mean bone in her body whatsoever. She didn’t hold a grudge against her previous owners nor was she aggressive toward people. Quite the contrary – she was the sweetest cuddle bug!
And, on top of everything, Meleys began to gain weight! Once being only fifteen pounds, she’s now doubled her weight and looks like a brand-new dog.
“She was brought to the shelter emaciated, but you’d never know that looking at her now. She is sweet, playful, and cute as they come,” TPR stated.
It won’t take long for Meleys to be fully ready for another adventure. Once she’s fully recovered, she will be looking for a forever home and a family to love. So far, she doesn’t have underlying health problems and is great with everyone she meets.
“She’s up to date, dog friendly. The perfect girl,” the NYC rescue added.