“This little puppy had an entire village rallying behind him” ❤️
Back in June, It Takes A Village Animal Rescue, an animal welfare organization in Muscatine, Iowa, responded to an emergency situation involving over 60 animals found living in neglectful conditions nearby.
Among the group was a little black puppy named Ralph.
It Takes A Village placed Ralph in a foster home, assuming he’d grow and thrive there. But Ralph’s story wasn’t so simple. When Ralph’s foster parent noticed him acting strangely, they alerted the rescue, who took him to a veterinarian for assessment. Experts soon confirmed everyone’s fears — the pup had swimmer syndrome.
It Takes A Village Animal Rescue
“This is such a devastating and rare deformity that affects newborn puppies, causing their rear limbs to be too weak for them to stand,” It Takes A Village wrote in a Facebook post at the time. “It is also characterized by the pup having a very flat chest [and] rib cage because of the constant flat-lying position they are in. The resulting complications can be deadly.”
Unable to use his arms or legs, Ralph shimmied across the ground, his curiosity and resilient spirit struggling to overcome his disability.
It Takes A Village Animal Rescue
Ralph moved to a critical care foster home. Though his prognosis was bleak, Ralph’s dedicated foster family believed in him. They pulled out all the stops, making sure Ralph received the therapy necessary to get better.
“In this loving home, Ralph was not only cared for and nurtured by Sarah Evans and her wonderful family (Jake, Jackson, Briar and Evie), but their extended circle came to his aid as well,” It Takes A Village wrote in a Facebook post. “Mark built a therapy track. Joyce sewed braces. And the list goes on.”
It Takes A Village Animal Rescue
Time went by, and Ralph grew stronger. One day, Ralph did something that no one expected.
“This little puppy had an entire village rallying behind him,” It Takes A Village wrote. “That, my friends, is what love in action looks like. And I’ll be damned if it didn’t work … Please check out the second video … and watch Ralphie run.”
It Takes A Village Animal Rescue
That’s right — the pup who was once too weak to stand now happily trots across the floor, chasing his dad around the house.
Ralph’s transformation story is a testament to the power of love and resiliency. It Takes A Village rescuers and their extended community are so gratified to have helped sweet Ralphie run into the future he deserves.
“That little pup who could not walk, who could not stand, who could not sit, who had a flat chest and rib cage from the constant pressure on his underside … He needed every single shred of hope for such a devastating physical disability,” It Takes A Village wrote. “But that’s what it’s all about, right? Hope?”
It Takes A Village relies on private donations, grants and adoption fees. To help support other animals like Ralph and ensure their continued care, make a donation to the rescue here.
