Imagine if your vision was taken from you for a day… a year… countless years.
How would you react?
Now, envision being told that there’s a possibility of regaining your sight.
I bet you’d be flooded with delight and anticipation!
That’s precisely how Hazel, the Pittie, felt. Even though she isn’t human, it would be absurd to claim she didn’t respond this way. Hazel was ecstatic when her foster guardians informed her of the surgery planned to restore her vision.
If it meant witnessing how beautiful the world is once more, she was ready for everything, from veterinary visits to the sounds of instruments and the lengthy rehabilitation.
And she handled it like an absolute champ!
Miracles Can Happen
It required six months for Hazel, the blind Pittie, to complete the #OneLuckyPup initiative, but only a few moments to capture everyone’s affection!
This senior Pittie lady is a rescue from New York, rescued from a life of backyard breeding. Her initial owners were indifferent to the suffering of their golden dog who endured numerous health complications, consequently birthing defective puppies.
No, they were solely focused on profit!
Fortunately, Hazel escaped that horror, and her healing journey commenced immediately after her rescue.
Upon discovering Hazel, the organization Mr. Bones & Co. and Rescue the Runway diagnosed her with diabetic ketoacidosis—a condition that nearly jeopardized her precious life.
Hazel was lethargic, unhealthily underweight, and too despondent to care about her fate.
Samantha and Rob, Leslie, Pete, and Lorraine, the foster parents, along with numerous supporters from New York and beyond who contributed donations, were ecstatic to discover that not everything was lost.
Hazel transitioned from a timid girl to an exuberant pup, effectively navigating her surroundings despite her blindness. When they found out it would take several surgeries to bring back Hazel’s vision, they thought it was a dream.
Hazel felt as if she were dreaming as well, but the reality was finally incredibly sweet.
This Pittie lady underwent three hospital stays and two procedures. She experienced severe pyometra – an infection of the uterus that could have spelled disaster. Fortunately, thanks to the skilled veterinarians at Pure Paws Veterinary Care of Hell’s Kitchen and The Animal Medical Center, Hazel managed to pull through.
They performed surgery on her bilateral cataracts and carried out an artificial lens implantation.
They gifted Hazel her vision back!
She was eager to behold the world with her eyes wide once more.
She was ready to discover all the beauty she had overlooked for so many years.
And she beamed with the brightest smile imaginable!
It Only Gets Better
Naturally, as a challenging patient with many operations prior, Hazel had to remain in the rehabilitation program for a bit longer before she was prepared for official adoption.
She was recovering swiftly, although the veterinarians were unable to eliminate one issue: her diabetes.
Hazel will require daily insulin injections for the remainder of her life. That’s a hard truth for this older Pittie lady.
Nonetheless, that didn’t deter some individuals from wanting Hazel even more!
Onalie and John, along with their canine companion, Cooper, were so eager for Hazel that they patiently awaited and followed her healing journey.
When the clock finally struck for adoption, they promptly submitted their paperwork, and Hazel was officially in the running.
It didn’t take long for Hazel to integrate into their family. This fortunate girl finally found her forever home!
And let me tell you this: she’s undoubtedly enjoying her best life!
Now, Hazel embodies the essence of any other Pittie – affectionate, loving, and extremely playful. She delights in her new life with her guardians and her sibling, Cooper.
She relishes engaging in simple dog activities – something she never had the chance to do earlier.
Watch Hazel embrace her identity as a dog that appreciates all the beauty life offers at last!