​Precious Penny came from a horrible situation where humans abused and neglected the dogs in their care. At some point, Penny’s front elbow and leg were broken, and Penny never received vet care. The pain must have been unbearable, and as the breaks healed, they led to a permanent limp and severe degenerative arthritis, and the pain never subsided. Somehow, Penny escaped her tormentors and limped across a field. A Good Samaritan found her and tried her best to give Penny what she needed. However, Penny’s other ailments were daunting, and work schedules and financial concerns made it impossible for the Good Samaritan to care for her. Penny was surrendered to Fluvanna SPCA, and the shelter took over her care. Because Penny is heartworm positive, has a tick-borne disease, is in stage 2 renal failure, and has issues with itchy skin, the shelter wanted Penny to have a quiet place to heal.

Penny joined our Sanctuary on April 10, 2022. Through the kindness of volunteer drivers, Penny made her way from Virginia to Ohio. Her health status is guarded at this time as she completes the first stage of her heartworm treatments. Penny is taking medication and supplements to help her kidney function, as well as pain medications and supplements to help her arthritis and itchiness. Her case is particularly worrisome because heartworm disease can distress kidneys. Penny will be facing multiple lab tests, x-rays, and painful injections in the next few months. If she makes it through the heartworm treatments, we will need to evaluate the best course of action for her leg. It doesn’t appear that Penny was ever spayed, and it’s likely that she’s whelped litters of puppies in the past.

Despite all that Penny has been through, she is a trusting and loving hound. Sweet and sensitive and very smart, Penny will immediately touch your heart and soul. Her good nature is evident in all she does. Although Penny still looks lost and confused at times, she’s beginning to understand that her new humans want to help her, not hurt her. And, help her, we will.

For more information on what we do, check out our website at www.sanctuaryanimals.org.