In May, Stephanie Smith-Justus received an urgent call from a neighbor concerned about a dog in distress.
Working at a city shelter and leading the no-kill Buchanan County Humane Society in Virginia, Smith-Justus hurried with her husband to the location where the dog was reported.
After initially struggling to find the dog amidst the thick woods, her husband discovered the puppy lying in the weeds, in a dire state.
At just four months old, the puppy had a severe case of demodectic mange, making its skin look like it had been burned. Recalling the event to The Dodo, Smith-Justus said her husband doubted the dog would survive.
Fortunately, a veterinarian had recently moved to their street. Acting quickly, they rushed the puppy, named Watkins after the street where he was found, to the vet’s home without hesitation.
The veterinarian immediately realized Watkins’ condition was critical, noting that he seemed on the brink of death. Further examination at the vet’s office revealed more issues.
Watkins had been shot multiple times with a pellet gun, severely malnourished, and weighed only 34 pounds. Due to his lack of nutrition, his intestines had collapsed and his ankles hadn’t formed properly, causing him to walk on his wrists painfully.
Faced with Watkins’ overwhelming health problems, Smith-Justus told the vet she’d understand if euthanasia was the best option, but she wanted to do whatever was kindest for him. The vet suggested trying to help Watkins.
The path to recovery was fraught with challenges. Watkins had to undergo emergency surgery when his bowels twisted, and the vet wasn’t optimistic about his survival.
Miraculously, he pulled through, but his recovery was rocky. He stopped eating and lost significant weight, requiring a feeding tube temporarily.
Watkins spent 119 days under veterinary care and even had a stint in Virginia Tech’s intensive care unit. Throughout this grueling journey, his story spread, and he garnered support from people around the globe.
His harrowing tale touched hearts, with strangers sending gifts and well-wishes, and a dedicated Facebook page now boasting over 12,000 followers.
Thanks to this support network and Watkins’ fighting spirit, he was finally able to return home with Smith-Justus on July 11. His recovery continued with weekly visits to the vet for ongoing treatment.
Astonishingly, during one vet visit, Watkins took a critical step forward, walking properly for the first time.
Month by month, Watkins showed improvement, growing into a healthier, happier 10-month-old puppy. Once fearful of cars, he now enjoys rides, and his joy in running around the yard shows his regained strength and confidence.
Within the home, Watkins has bonded with a toy lobster and even embraced new furry companions in a group of kittens whose arrival followed a house fire.
Despite his early struggles, Watkins has proven to be loving and resilient. He continues his journey towards full recovery while amazing everyone with his progress.
The remarkable change has earned him the nickname “miracle dog” among the staff at Virginia Tech.
Those interested in supporting Watkins’ ongoing medical needs can contribute, and anyone inspired to help more dogs like Watkins can visit Adopt-a-Pet.com to find deserving animals looking for homes.
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