Meet Violet — a dog who is finding joy in her new raccoon squeaky toy after enduring a challenging past.
Violet’s story begins with visible signs of neglect. Her neck bore the marks of a heavy metal chain that had been secured with a large padlock, leaving her fur stained and indicating a prolonged period of restraint. Angela Stell, the founder of NMDOG, an organization dedicated to rescuing dogs kept on chains, shared that Violet was discovered in December 2016 on a property in Miguel County, New Mexico, along with five other dogs in similar conditions. Violet, then two years old, might have spent her entire life in chains.
The property was located in an area where chaining dogs without the owner’s presence is illegal. A concerned passerby reported the situation to the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northeastern New Mexico. Consequently, the county sheriff’s department intervened and took the dogs into custody.
Angela Stell told The Dodo, “They were able to get somebody to go onto the property and explain the ordinances and what was wrong with the situation.” It turned out that the dogs’ caretaker was in jail for unrelated charges, leaving the animals without proper care.
NMDOG rescuers, including Stell, stepped in to provide care for these dogs, including Violet. Their first step was to bring them to a veterinary clinic where they are currently receiving medical attention. Violet was in poor condition when found, suffering from sunburn and a serious case of flystrike, a condition where maggots infest an animal’s skin.
Despite these challenges, Stell reports that Violet is on the road to recovery, though she still struggles with fear. “She was very, very afraid and is still a little timid,” Stell explained. “If you move your hand too quickly, she might flinch as if expecting to be hit. But she is gradually responding to kindness and gentle interactions.”
Day by day, Violet is learning to trust again and adapting to her new surroundings. According to Stell, “She’s very sweet, opening up to us and the clinic staff. She loves her stuffed animals and wraps herself in blankets. She enjoys walks and is discovering the world beyond a chained existence.”
Violet missed out on the joys of puppyhood, but now she is making up for lost time. Her delight in her first-ever toy, a squeaky raccoon, is heartwarming to witness. Stell shared, “I’ve seen her playing with her squeaky raccoon, glancing around to ensure no one is watching, allowing herself brief moments of carefree play.”
Violet still has some healing to do and needs to be spayed. However, soon she will be ready for adoption. “She needs a home where she is treated as family, kept indoors primarily due to her susceptibility to sunburn,” Stell noted. “Violet deserves a loving environment fit for a little princess.”
If you can provide a loving home for Violet, reach out to the NMDOG team. Donations to NMDOG can also help rescue more animals in need.
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