Rescuers find ‘lifeless’ Dalmatian with ropes around her neck and carry her to safety
Nearly a year ago, an emaciated Dalmatian lay in a Philadelphia alley, covered in flies. When an anonymous tip came in to animal law enforcement, officers rushed to the scene.
Their hearts broke when they found the Dalmatian. Barely alive and freezing cold, they feared the worst.
Officers brought the dog, later named Brandy, to the Pennsylvania SPCA. Sarah Brown, the organization’s marketing and public relations associate, stood outside as they carried the dog in.
“She had these really heavy nylon ropes hanging from her neck,” Brown told The Dodo. “She couldn't walk. She was pretty lifeless.”
Not only was Brandy hypothermic, but her body condition score shocked her veterinary team.
“She scored a one out of five,” Brown said, “which is the lowest score that a living animal can get. That's how skinny she was.”
Brown said that based on the frayed nylon ropes dangling from Brandy’s neck, her team guessed the dog had been living outside, tied up somewhere, before someone dumped her in the alley where she was found.
“It was really sad,” Brown added. “But through all of it, she was the most loving dog.”
Brandy’s vet team treated sores on her feet with foot soaks and gave her fluids. She ate small meals throughout the day to help her gain weight safely and slowly.
Vets guessed Brandy was about 2 years old, but as Brown watched the Dalmatian recover and grow, she suspected the pup may have been much younger.
“Our vets will age them based off of teeth,” Brown said. “But, also when animals aren't given proper nutrition or medical care, their teeth can look worse.”
Over the next few months, Brandy fought to survive. Volunteers noticed right away she had a loving, curious personality that shone brightly, even during tough moments.
“She was so smart,” Brown said. “This dog loved to work, so we would always give her enrichment, whether it be puzzle toys or … training her [on] a bunch of different tricks.”
Brandy formed deep bonds with the behavior team members who brought out the best in her.
“One of the first times that I met her after she was out of the hospital,” Brown recalled, “she quite literally leapt in the air and jumped into the lap of our one behavior team member and just hugged her.”
Last month, Brandy found her forever home.
A family came into the shelter and clicked with Brandy right away. The best part: They already had a Dalmatian, who has since become Brandy’s best friend.
Brandy, now named Birdie, spends her days roaming a huge yard and loving on her people.
“Birdie has fit right into our family immediately,” her new mom said. “She loves running around our farm during the day and snuggling in bed with her Dalmatian sister at night. We love her so much!”
After months of perseverance, Birdie is unrecognizable from the skinny girl discovered in the alley. She's a fighter who deserves every ounce of love she can get.
