Meet Violet, a once-neglected dog who has developed a fondness for her squeaky raccoon toy.
Violet’s life began in unfortunate circumstances, evidenced by the deep black stain left on her neck from being chained with a heavy metal link and padlock.
This poor dog, estimated to be around two years old when discovered in December 2016, seemed as though she had known nothing but life on the chain.
The discovery was made in Miguel County, New Mexico, by a passerby who also spotted five other dogs chained on the same property. Local regulations prohibit leaving dogs tethered without supervision.
The concerned individual promptly reached out to the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern New Mexico. Consequently, the county sheriff’s department intervened, taking the dogs into their care.
Angela Stell, founder and director of NMDOG, an organization dedicated to rescuing chained dogs, revealed to The Dodo that the property owner was jailed on unrelated charges, hence the dogs were left uncared for.
“Those dogs were basically abandoned and forgotten,” Stell explained.
Once under the care of NMDOG, Violet and the other dogs were taken to a veterinarian for immediate medical attention and boarding.
Violet was in poor shape, suffering from sunburn and a painful condition known as flystrike, where maggots infest and consume the flesh.
Despite all she endured, Violet is now on the road to recovery, both physically and emotionally, although she still struggles with trust.
Stell noted, “She was very frightened, but she’s gradually overcoming her fears thanks to positive and gentle interactions.”
As Violet adjusts to her new life, she is discovering the joys of being a dog. Her daily routine now includes enjoying her beloved stuffed toys and cuddling in a blanket. She is also learning to enjoy walks, relishing her newfound freedom.
Stell believes Violet is just beginning to experience the joys of puppyhood. A milestone moment for Violet was when she received her first-ever toy—a squeaky raccoon.
“I’ve seen her play with it, batting it around and looking to see if someone is watching,” Stell shared. “She’s becoming more playful and carefree.”
Although Violet’s journey to full recovery isn’t over yet, she will soon be ready for adoption once she is spayed. Stell said, “Violet needs a home where she’ll be treated as family and kept mostly indoors to avoid sunburn.
She deserves a loving home to call her own.”
If you believe you’re the perfect match for Violet, reach out to the NMDOG team. Donations to support their rescue efforts are also welcome.
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