Passion through adoption, support from dog lovers worldwide and the expertise of pet doctors have helped make an abused pit bull's face whole again through a reconstructive nose surgery. Now everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.
The abused pit bull, barely a year old, was found about two weeks ago in a Florida shelter by Stephanie Paquin, who founded the non-profit group Passion 4 Pits. The pit bull had her nose and sinus cavities ripped off of her face, along with a broken spine and ribs and injured kneecaps. Despite struggling to breathe and walk around, the abused pup shows no sign of aggression and hops around with a wagging tail.
The survivor pit bull was named Khalessi, after the popular strong female character in the Game of Thrones series.
Just last Thursday, Khalessi has undergone a procedure that created two openings that will serve as a nasal passage. The reconstructive surgery performed by doctors in Southeast Florida's Hays Towne Veterinary Hospital lasted five hours.
For the first time in a while, doctors at the veterinary hospital saw Khalessi sleep comfortably.
The reconstructive nose surgery is, however, only the first step to help the dog get better. According to Paquin, Khalessi will remain in the hospital for another week so doctors can monitor her through recovery. In addition, there are still those broken bones in her body that need fixing.
"She is going to need surgery to repair her legs as well," added Paquin.
The efforts of Paquin and veterinarians from Hays Towne have inspired people from all over the world to show their support for groups fighting against animal cruelty. Passion 4 Pits is now rescuing more dogs and getting them out of the shelter, with the help of volunteers taking in the dogs into their homes.
Financial support has also been flowing in and helped Paquin build the Khalessi's Warriors Foundation which aims to help other dogs who are also victims of abuse. One of the first beneficiaries of the foundation is Trooper, who had wounds in his legs when he was found in the same shelter as Khalessi was, and brought to the same hospital to be cared for.
