Starving Dog Was Left in the Snow to Die – Now She Is Learning What Love Means

Why is it so hard for people to let dogs and cats inside when it’s freezing out!? Just recently, Elsa, an emaciated Dogue De Bordeaux, was thrown outside by her guardian and was expected to somehow brace the frigid temperatures on her own. Elsa was found curled up in a ball, freezing in the snow, in the Cradley Health Nature Preserve located in West Midlands, Birmingham, UK, by a good Samaritan who just happened to be passing by.

Elsa is now, thankfully, in the hands of The Animal House Rescue, a non-profit that takes in unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals. This poor dog would have survived only a few more hours if she hadn’t been saved, the rescuers note.

Elsa only weighs 38 pounds, HALF of what a dog her breed should be. She was immediately rushed to The Animal House Rescue’s veterinary partner, Your Vets Smethwick, for assessment.

The Animal House Rescue has faithfully been updating their supporters. By day 2, Elsa was starting to eat. 

On Day 3, Elsa began to sit up and take in the sights around her. Because she doesn’t have any muscles to help get her up, Elsa has a hard time getting up if she is lying down. 

By Day 4, the trauma Elsa has suffered caught up to her and the team had to put her on an IV drip for fluids and she is on strict bed rest.  

Elsa still has no energy but rescuers are keeping her comfortable. Her area is padded with blankets so her bones don’t rub through the skin and she has a heating pad to keep her warm. Of course, The Animal House Rescue team is giving her lots of cuddles and attention!

Tests are currently being done to figure out if there is an underlying cause for why Elsa is so emaciated. The team is keeping their fingers crossed that Elsa health improves so she could possibly have a forever home by Christmas. 

Elsa’s story is heartbreaking but there is one positive: people from around the world have called to ask how they can help Elsa! The rescue says that they have had calls from all around the U.K. and even South Africa and New Jersey, inquiring about how they can Donate towards Elsa’s treatment. The calls have been so overwhelming that the rescue actually had to kindly ask people to stop calling to ask for updates. Faith in humanity restored!

It’s imperative to NEVER leave dogs or cats outdoors when the temperature drops. Dogs and cats get cold, and like humans, they can suffer from hypothermia or frostbite. If it is below freezing, keep walks short and consider a sweater or jacket for short-haired dogs – if they are comfortable wearing them. No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet’s life. Exposed skin on noses, ears, and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage. For tips on winter safety for our furry friends, click here.

If you’d like to Support your local shelter or rescue group as they help keep the animals in their care warm and dry, consider donating bedding and blankets! This will ensure the animals stay warm and cozy while they wait for their forever families. For more ways to help combat pet homelessness, click here.

If you’d like to make a donation towards Elsa’s care, you can do so via PayPal. For more information about The Animal House Rescue, click here.

We will be keeping you in our thoughts, Elsa!

Image Source: The Animal House Rescue/Facebook