Unfortunately, owner surrenders are quite common across the country. People relinquish or abandon their dogs for numerous reasons, ranging from child allergies to physical difficulties and residential locations that do not allow pets to stay on-site.
Despite this often-happening occurrence, a rescue team in the Dallas area was surprised when a puppy named Hattie was surrendered. Hattie’s owners took her to a local shelter in 2018, and at that time, a large tumor was developing on her left side.
Apparently, the large growth had been accumulating over the previous two years, and Pothig had been enduring it. Dallas DogRRR – Rescue.Rehab.Reform took Hattie under its care and aimed to provide her the opportunity for a better life.
A risky yet miraculous surgery
Evidently, the rescue team determined that they needed to have this lump removed. They took Hattie to Vet Rach, an organization providing veterinary care for abandoned animals.
The added weight on her side had damaged Hattie’s legs and her ability to walk. Dr. Karri from Vet Rach carefully attended to the blood vessels and muscles on that side. Nevertheless, Hattie maintained an endearing disposition. Before the surgery, Dr. Karri shared:
“It’s so terrible for me that she’s just used to dealing with this.”
Incredibly, veterinarians were able to remove the enormous tumor, which finally weighed 15 pounds. That’s approximately half of the dog’s body weight!
Hattie’s body had to adapt, but the resilient and carefree dog made it through! She even had a loving home waiting for her on the other side. Hattie was finally adopted in December 2018.
Veterinarian Rach has a video of her surgery and recovery process if you have the stomach for it:
Tumor-free and happy
Without this “plastic bag” of a tumor hanging from her, Hattie breaks much more easily. She still has certain medical issues but is living a full and happy life with all the love and care she needs.
Hattie’s adopter posted on Facebook: “She lives in a house [with] a garden and has a huge sister. She has freedom in the home and sleeps in a king-size bed every night. [Hattie] has had some medical issues, but we go to the vet regularly to keep her monitored.”
After enduring and appearing desperate for some, Hattie is simply a happy and healthy dog enjoying her senior years with a family. Of course, credit goes to veterinary science, but a great deal of praise goes to the people who saw that she deserved the best.
