Leaving a dog with special needs behind is an extremely heartless act. Pet owners should understand that leaving a note with the animal doesn’t make abandoning them any less cruel.
In Salta, Argentina, a disabled dog named Lunita was found on the streets without any food or water. She had been abandoned by her owner in May 2014 and was in a pitiful state when a dog grooming employee discovered her. Lunita was lying face down on the pavement, tied to a rickety wheelchair. A note near her revealed the dog’s name, age, and the reason for abandonment. Moved by the dog’s plight, the employee contacted LUBA Salta, a dog rescue organization. Volunteers from the organization arrived at the scene and took Lunita to their shelter. Later, the dog was placed in a foster home. The shelter decided to share Lunita’s story on social media, hoping that someone would come forward to adopt her.
As time went by, there seemed to be no progress in helping Lunita find a new home until a family from the United States expressed their willingness to adopt her. A fundraising campaign was initiated to cover the expenses of bringing Lunita to the US. However, the sad reality was that the new family was unable to provide the proper care that Lunita needed due to her delicate condition.
During her stay with the Lunita’s family, she contracted a severe staphylococcal infection due to a bed infested with mites. This led to a tragic turn of events, causing Lunita’s health to deteriorate rapidly, with her breathing worsening with each passing day. Another family came to her rescue, taking care of her medical needs. However, the infections caused Lunita to lose all her hair from the waist down, including her tail, due to scabies and urine scalding. As a result, every attempt to clean her private parts and bottom caused her great pain, and her low weight added to her worries, weighing only 35 pounds. It took long and intensive medical treatment to heal her, but she finally got better. Lunita’s life became happier after that; she had the chance to travel extensively, see the snow for the first time, and make many friends.
On June 15th, 2018, Lunita celebrated her 11th birthday with her loved ones, making it one of the most memorable days of her life. Her family, friends, and even some furry companions gathered to celebrate her special day, filling her heart with immense joy. Unfortunately, not long after her birthday, Lunita’s health deteriorated, and she was admitted to the ICU once again, fighting for her life. Even though her family tried everything to improve her condition, it only seemed to worsen, and every time they removed the oxygen, her tongue would turn blue. With a heavy heart, her family made the difficult decision to let her rest in peace. In her final days, Lunita was surrounded by her loved ones, giving her comfort and love until the end.
Lunita’s mother expressed on Facebook that she will always remember her daughter and the significance she had in her life. The impact Lunita had on her mother was life-changing, and she was deeply loved. The family of Lunita is appreciated for making her final year on earth a joyful and love-filled one.
