Charlotte was alone, left for dead in a wrecked vehicle.
She had been thrown against the dashboard of her owner’s car when it collided with a Jeep. Her owner fled the scene, abandoning the badly injured dog as she struggled to survive.
Fortunately, rescuers brought her to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Bleeding and in shock, she desperately needed help. She came to us in the nick of time.
When Charlotte arrived at our shelter, her entire face was swollen. She had lacerations on her muzzle and forehead, a large wound on her neck and several broken teeth. She was restless from the pain.
To make matters worse, our emergency care team discovered she was nearly blind. She must have been so afraid.
But Charlotte wasn’t going to give up, and neither were we. Even in her confusion and pain she responded to our gentle touch. We calmed her down and eased her pain.
With love and gentle care, her condition slowly improved and her wounds began to heal. We knew she had turned a corner the day she began wiggling her entire body when we came to check on her.
Once she was healthy enough, we performed surgery to remove her teeth damaged in the accident, as well as several other painful, diseased teeth that had gone untreated for years.
Charlotte was finally ready for a new home and a fresh start. And she didn’t have to wait long. On her first day up for adoption a family fell in love with her and brought her home.
Now she is a spunky little princess who goes along with the kids to school each morning, then meets them at the door when they come home. Her forever family loves her so much.
From abandoned, hurt and afraid … to a beloved family member and companion. Charlotte was given a second chance; she was given a new life.
Just as Charlotte’s life changed in a matter of seconds, so can yours. So it’s good to have a plan. To learn about all the ways you can use your estate plan to help pets in need, like Charlotte, contact Lora Rogers at legacy@arl-iowa.org or (515) 473-9119.