“Everyone immediately felt we needed to help her.”
By Maeve Duniga
Alone in a pumpkin patch in Otoe County, Nebraska, a skinny puppy named Zephyr recently found herself with nowhere left to turn. Poor little Zephyr was starving. She could barely move, and her ribs poked through her taut black fur.
Thankfully, a Good Samaritan eventually noticed Zephyr struggling among the gourds and got her to a veterinary clinic nearby. But Zephyr still needed a permanent place to recover. City officials contacted Capital Humane Society and asked if they might be able to help.
“We received an urgent plea to rescue this 9-month-old puppy who was found starving and emaciated,” Capital Humane Society wrote in a Facebook post.
Rescuers were moved by Zephyr’s story.
“I shared it with our staff members,” Capital Humane Society executive director Matt Madcharo told The Dodo. “Everyone immediately felt we needed to help her.”
Humane society team members jumped into action and helped coordinate Zephyr’s continued care. Today, the pup is recuperating at Kansas State Veterinary Hospital, where she’s already made a ton of progress, gaining weight, relearning how to walk and using the bathroom on her own.
All the while, Zephyr’s friendly personality has shined through.
“She always greets everyone who visits her with tail wags,” Madcharo said. “She likes her head to be pet and is a very, very sweet girl!”
Rescuers are so proud of Zephyr, who can now walk about 10 to 15 steps on her own. They’re also grateful for all the community donations and support, which allow veterinarians to continue this lifesaving care.
Once Zephyr can eat without a feeding tube, she’ll be able to start looking for a foster family. Capital Humane Society team members are hopeful that Zephyr’s story will only get better and brighter from here.
“As long as there are no other issues that present themselves, she should make a full recovery and find a loving home when she is ready!” Madcharo said.