This Puppy From Atlanta Was Almost Euthanized For The Most Bizarre Reason
Haley Ray, a chiropractor from Atlanta, had always had a soft spot for animals. However, it wasn’t until she crossed paths with Kona that she truly realized the profound bond and love a dog could offer.
The story started when Haley came across a photo of a man holding two small puppies, both brought to the vet with the intention of being put down.
The man had deemed their lives unworthy of saving, but fortunately, the vet didn’t share that view.
Seeing potential in these pups, the vet reached out to Speak Rescue and Sanctuary. That’s how Haley learned about Kona, a deaf and partially blind puppy from the photo.
When Haley first met Kona, the little pup was as delicate as a cotton ball, having already endured more than most dogs ever should.
The moment Haley cradled her in her arms, Kona snuggled up and drifted off to sleep. In that very moment, Haley knew that Kona was destined to be part of her family.
Kona wasn’t just any dog. She had a unique beauty, as Haley shared in a YouTube video:
“She is the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen in my entire life. She has a left blue eye, and her right eye is half Hazel, half blue.”
It wasn’t just Kona’s appearance that captured Haley’s heart; it was her vibrant spirit. Kona was a dog who embraced everyone and everything with open arms. Her heart overflowed with joy, and that joy was impossible not to feel.
Kona quickly became the perfect addition to Haley’s family. Already home to two older dogs, Buddy and Nala, who shared a close bond, Haley wasn’t sure how Kona would fit in. But it didn’t take long for Kona to seamlessly integrate into their lives, bringing fresh energy and love. Buddy and Nala welcomed her with open paws.
Haley often reflects on the man who once deemed Kona’s life unworthy of saving. The thought still troubles her. She wishes she could find him and show him how far Kona has come, a living testament to her resilience.
Despite her challenges, Kona is incredibly smart. Haley and her family use hand signals to communicate with her, and Kona catches on quickly, as Haley shared:
“We use touch signals with her. She knows almost every single trick my 12-year-old Border Collie knows.”
It’s amazing how well she adapted, and what’s even more amazing is how the other dogs pick up on the hand signals too.
Kona’s blindness doesn’t hold her back from enjoying life. She loves playing with other dogs and always finds a way to be part of the fun.
When they play fetch, Kona can’t see the ball, but she can see the other dogs running after it. So, she chases them instead. It’s her way of participating in the game.
As Kona grows older, Haley notices that her vision is getting better. Bit by bit, she seems to be seeing more and picking up on things she didn’t before.
Another thing that melts Haley’s heart is the special bond Kona has with Nala, one of her older dogs. It’s so pure and beautiful, as Haley shared:
“She loves Nala. She wants to play with her, but when she realizes that Nala’s done playing, she stops and just licks her over and over and over. It’s like telling her, ‘I know you’re done playing, but I still want to love you.’”
The love Kona gives is unconditional, and it shows in everything she does.
Haley strongly believes that every special needs dog deserves a chance at life, just like Kona. They may be different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t overflowing with love and deserving of every bit of it.
With Kona by her side, Haley feels like their family is complete. As she put it:
“She is the period at the end of our sentence.”
