Dog Abandoned In Arizona Desert After Breeding Is Rescued Just In Time
Some dog stories can truly tug at your heartstrings, yet many still find their way to brighter, happier endings.
Meet Valor, a striking pit bull terrier mix from Arizona. His journey has been filled with challenges, but also hope, resilience, and the love of those who refused to give up on him.
It’s a story of hardship and triumph, one that deserves to be shared.
Abused For Years Only To Be Cruelly Abandoned
One day, Valor was discovered in Laveen, a suburban community in southwest Phoenix nestled in the Sonoran Desert.
He was in heartbreaking shape – alone, scared, and dangerously underweight. A kind passerby spotted him and rushed him to Love Them All Sanctuary and Rescue, a non-profit based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The moment the rescue team laid eyes on him, their hearts sank. They quickly brought him to a veterinarian for an urgent evaluation. His condition was so severe that, for a brief moment, euthanasia was even discussed.
The vet gave Valor a full examination, and it quickly became clear that this poor pup was facing more than one serious health challenge.
He was diagnosed with advanced valley fever, a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis.
Along with that, he was running a fever, suffering from kennel cough, and showing swelling in his lymph nodes.
His eyes were painfully dry, producing little to no tears, most likely from severe
dehydration, which had also triggered secondary canine conjunctivitis.
One of his eyes showed signs of cloudiness, possibly from past trauma, and X-rays revealed bony lesions and swelling around his joints.
These issues left him stiff, in pain, and reluctant to walk, which in turn caused visible muscle loss throughout his body.
Valor’s condition was so severe that he could barely move, and the rescue team often had to carry him outside just so he could relieve himself.
But even then, he trembled with fear, linking the outdoors with the trauma of being abandoned.
His terror likely traced back to his past – he had been used for breeding, and after only two or three years, once he was no longer considered useful, his breeder heartlessly left him behind in the desert.
It was a cruel fate for such a gentle soul, but thankfully, this was not where his story ended. His life was about to change for the better.
A Second Chance For A Good Boy
A kind woman named Robyn stepped forward to foster Valor, determined to guide him back to health and teach him that people could be trusted again.
The road wasn’t simple. Robyn had to carefully break through his emotional walls, earning his trust little by little, all while making sure he received the daily medications vital to his recovery.
As she recalled in an interview:
“I had to give him so many meds, some of which he didn’t want to take, so I had to put it down his throat and make sure he swallowed it.”
Within only two weeks, Robyn started to notice a change. Her patience and care were paying off – Valor slowly began to reveal the sweet dog he truly was.
One day, he even gave her a wag of his tail, a small but powerful sign that her love was helping him heal.
He quickly became attached to his foster mom and welcomed her attention. In fact, he craved it. As Robyn explained:
“He was completely fine with me touching him. I think he was eating up the attention because he probably didn’t get it wherever he came from.”
Before long, sweet Valor had made a full transformation. He started running around, playing, and enjoying life once again.
The best part of Valor’s journey was watching him make such a remarkable recovery. His frail 38-pound frame filled out to a healthy 68 pounds in a short time, leaving Robyn thrilled with how far he had come.
Before long, Valor had become one of the most pampered pups in Arizona – and rightfully so. After everything he had endured, he finally had the love, care, and comfort he always deserved.
Valor’s Happily Ever After
Valor spent nearly five months with Robyn, during which he made a complete recovery under her devoted care.
When the time was right, he transitioned to another foster home – one that fell in love with him so deeply they decided to make him a permanent part of their family.
From a frightened dog left alone in the desert, Valor has transformed into a happy, thriving pup, finally surrounded by the love and care he always deserved.
Now cherished by his forever family, he’s living the life that once seemed impossible. If you’d like to follow along with his journey and see what lies ahead for this brave boy, you can keep up with him on Instagram.
