Whenever we come across a heartwarming video of a dog successfully saved or adopted, it rekindles our affection for these furry companions.
It’s not solely about their ability to return the love they receive, but witnessing their change in a new setting that truly tugs at our heartstrings!
One particular tale was shared on the BeforeNAfterAdoption Reddit account by an individual named Graham Whatmough.
Despite Willow, his current canine companion, now thriving and relishing life, one would never guess the difficult past she endured before being united with her owner…
Insecure, Fearful, And Growling Initially
Graham transitioned from a lackluster career in the oil industry to pursue his passion for photography, capturing the breathtaking splendor of the natural world.
During a hiking trip four years prior, while picking berries in the forest, he stumbled upon a white female canine resting beside a fallen tree.
“A leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll quickly turned into berry collection, and subsequently discovering a dog that had been surviving in the woods,” Graham recounted on his Facebook.
Initially, the canine was timid and insecure. She growled at him for a few moments, but soon calmed down as she realized Graham was offering her water. He carefully approached and offered her some treats and additional water, as she appeared very thirsty.
She wore a collar around her neck, indicating she likely had an owner at some point. Graham understood he couldn’t leave her behind, thus he opted to take her to the nearest SPCA.
However, upon her movement, he discovered the dog sustained serious injuries to both her hind legs…
“No one has come forward to claim her, so I brought her to the vet today. They conducted an X-ray and determined she has one fractured rear leg and a severely broken one that’s starting to heal incorrectly,” Graham states.
The dog he subsequently named Willow turned out to have fractures in both hind legs. With a lengthy recovery ahead, she needed a safe place, as the SPCA could not accommodate her due to space limitations.
Graham chose to foster her until she was fully healed, with the intention of eventually placing her for adoption, seeing as no one had claimed her thus far.
An Unforeseen Bond Developed
Although their first interaction was not as lively as he had anticipated, a profound connection developed between the two in a remarkably short timeframe. Willow awaited her operation and could manage only brief walks, but Graham took it upon himself to assist her.
Daily, he gently encouraged her, stretching her legs to facilitate her recovery. Initially, it was focused on preparing her for upcoming treatment, but Willow appeared to respond exceptionally well!
She was improving daily! Willow almost began accompanying Graham on hikes and shadowing him wherever he went. It took several months for her to regain full mobility, but eventually – she returned to her spirited self!
Restoring Willow’s Previous Self In A New Environment
Here is video of me walking out a dog I found malnourished in the woods…When I took her to the vet I found that both of her rear femurs were badly broken and beginning to set about an inch shorter than they should be. I adopted her and after lots of stretching and exercise here Willow is today 🙂
by u/WhereTheHighwayEnds in BeforeNAfterAdoption
In addition to his personal efforts with Willow, Graham received incredible assistance from the local community. Once his narrative gained momentum, countless individuals reached out to contribute financially for Willow’s recuperation.
Realizing he couldn’t part with Willow, he chose to keep her permanently!
While she was still mending from her injuries, her condition improved with each passing day. After several months of gradual healing, Willow was finally set to keep pace with her owner.
Day and night, summer or winter – she was always eager to leap out the door for a lengthy, enjoyable hike! And, most importantly – she absolutely loved it!
The Most Littertastic Surprise For Graham
During her recovery, Graham experienced the most wonderful surprise – Willow was expecting a litter! Being a small dog, it was easy to see her belly expanding as days went by. Eventually, she gave birth to nine healthy, plump puppies in her warm home!
For Graham, witnessing Willow embrace motherhood was a heartwarming experience. He created the coziest environment for her and her puppies, providing them with the best chance to flourish!
He opted to gift all of them to his friends and acquaintances, allowing them to remain close to their mother.
Graham Whatmough:
“It was an incredible experience and unfolded very smoothly. They’re all joyful and healthy puppies… They’re all going to my friends and known individuals, ensuring they’ll stay nearby.”
As for Willow – she continues to enjoy an amazing life with her devoted owner, exploring daily through the woods and embarking on new adventures! You can follow along with Willow and Graham on the Where the Highway Ends page!