Stray Dog Rescued and Treated for Severe Heartworm Becomes Happy Adventure Pup

This week’s spotlight at Newsweek shines on Calusa, a remarkable dog who has transformed from a stray in Florida to a joyful adventure companion. Once found in a shelter with her puppies, Calusa’s future seemed uncertain. She suffered from severe heartworm and desperately needed a home.

Morgan Gosnell, her new human, shared how Calusa’s story took a happy turn. “We found her infested with a bad case of heartworm at the local shelter, desperate for a home to take care of her and heal her,” Gosnell recalled. After being adopted, Calusa blossomed. “We took her home, and she was so happy and could snuggle all day and night.”

With four months of treatment and rest, Calusa recovered fully. Now, she lives for outdoor adventures—whether it’s kayaking, boating, or chasing drones in the sky. Gosnell proudly calls her “a natural since day one,” but at her core, Calusa is a cuddler. “At the end of the day, she’s a snuggler and kisser and hates being separated from her family,” Gosnell said.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping and use this amazing pet adoption search tool by WildWatchers to find shelter animals near you!

Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal.

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