A puppy who was left for dead on the side of the road has broken hearts across the internet.
The 2-month-old puppy, named Cubone, was discovered alone with severe facial trauma. Her skull was exposed, and her tiny body was crawling with fleas. Her rescuer feared she may have been thrown from a car.
Cubone was rushed to a veterinarian on May 30, where euthanasia was initially considered the only option—until someone reached out to Austin Pets Alive!, the animal shelter that is now caring for her. Approximately 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2024—a decrease of about 2 percent from 2023, according to the ASPCA.
Luckily, Cubone was given a second chance. Newsweek spoke to Luis Sanchez, an Austin Pets Alive! spokesperson, he said: “So far, she has settled in well.”
“She is super quiet, but she is slowly coming out of her shell. She currently finds a place to hide when I let her out of her crate or room to roam around, but she loves being held,” he said.
Cubone’s prognosis remains guarded due to the open wound on her head. Veterinarians are continuing her treatment plan, which includes hydrotherapy and medication. They will reassess her progress at the next check-up to determine if the wound can be closed.
“She has been tolerating her medication regimen well,” Sanchez added, noting that she will most likely need surgery in the future.
Thanks to strong antibiotics, pain relief, and lots of TLC, Cubone is currently stable. However, veterinarians remain cautious, as she is still at high risk for infection. Eventually, the wound will likely need to be surgically cleaned and closed.
The cause of Cubone’s injuries remains unknown, but sadly, animal abuse is not uncommon. An estimated 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty each year in the United States, according to Shelter Animals Count. Approximately 250,000 animals are reported annually as victims of hoarding, often found living in unsanitary conditions.
On June 3, Austin Pets Alive! shared graphic images of Cubone’s injuries on social media (@austinpetsalive). The post has garnered nearly 1,350 likes at the time of writing.
“Who would do this? Really heartbreaking,” one user commented.
Another wrote: “What a sweet, innocent angel! Sending all the healing her way!”
A third praised the rescue: “Thank you for taking such good care of her as she goes through recovery. She’s adorable!”
Stories like Cubone’s are heartbreakingly all too familiar. Newsweek has reported on numerous cases of dogs abandoned at the side of the road and cats discovered in inhumane conditions. Thankfully, many of these animals go on to find the happy endings they so deeply deserve.
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