“From a Struggling Beginning to a Bright Future: Devonna’s Incredible Recovery”
In a quiet Missouri neighborhood, a lost puppy with patchy skin caught the attention of concerned residents. Initially, they offered the lone pup food and water, hoping to connect her with her family. However, as days passed with no sign of an owner and her health deteriorated, they reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) for assistance.
According to a Facebook post by SRSL, “Her skin [felt] like fire,” reflecting the pup’s painful condition. Upon receiving the call, the rescue team rushed to the site and found the pup, later named Devonna, suffering from severe mange on a nearby property. As they prepared to take her to their vehicle, the team discovered two other pups in the same yard, bearing similar symptoms.
“They were living in an outdoor pool with fencing,” SRSL wrote. “They popped up like, ‘WAIT! What about us?’ Their skin was crusty, and hot pink from the condition.” Unable to leave them behind, the rescue team negotiated with the homeowner and soon loaded all three nearly hairless dogs into their car.
On the journey to the shelter, Devonna, clearly exhausted, tried to rest but was unable due to the discomfort caused by her irritated skin. The SRSL team, though heartbroken to see her struggle, was hopeful about her recovery prospects.
Once at SRSL’s clinic, veterinarians diagnosed Devonna and her companions, Portia and Rowland, with demodex mange, a treatable but non-contagious skin condition. Unfortunately, Devonna’s case was more severe, requiring a longer recovery plan. Despite the challenging road ahead, her bravery was evident. As shared by SRSL on Facebook, “Today marks the first day of the rest of her life.”
After a week of medicated baths at the shelter, Devonna was finally healthy enough to transition into a foster home. There, under the care of a loving foster mom, she would continue her treatment and begin to experience the comforts of a home environment.
On February 16, Devonna met her foster mom and started the next phase of her recuperation. Alongside her medicated baths, she basked in the love and attention of a quiet family setting. The team was hopeful that her fur would soon grow back as it had for Portia and Rowland. “Seeing her snuggled up, dreaming and healing, is a joy,” SRSL posted. “We anticipate her having the shiniest fur coat in no time.”
Indeed, their hopes were realized. With attentive care, Devonna’s skin healed beautifully, and her coat emerged more lustrous than ever. A month later, her return to the shelter for a check-up left the staff in awe of her transformation. “She is unrecognizable!” SRSL shared in a post. Her vibrant coat and bright eyes were a testament to her recovery.
Devonna’s past remains a mystery, but her survival story has brought immense joy to those involved in her rescue and care. Now fully recovered, Devonna is ready to find her forever home, one that matches her gentle and loving nature. SRSL’s Chief Communications Officer, Natalie Thomson, expressed confidence in finding Devonna a loving family, noting, “She loves other animals and all people.”
As Devonna embarks on this new chapter, the SRSL team remains hopeful that her dream family is just around the corner.
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