NEED TO KNOW
- Alaqua Animal Refuge took in Gracie the rescue dog after Florida deputies found the canine abandoned in a powerless, 100-degree house
- Gracie was stuck inside a filthy crate in the home with no food or water
- Under the rescue’s care, Gracie gradually regained her health and showed off her sweet side
Gracie Girl is finally being treated like the good girl her rescuers know her to be.
According to Alaqua Animal Refuge in Walton County, Fla., the organization took in the dog after a local sheriff’s department discovered Gracie left in an empty, sweltering house on a 100-degree day in June. Rescuers found Gracie abandoned in the powerless home, stuck in a dirty crate without access to food and water.
“We got a call from the Sheriff’s Department asking if we could take in a dog they had just removed from a cruelty case. She had been locked in a crate inside a home, abandoned without food or water for what appeared to be several weeks. They told me she was in bad shape, unable to stand on her own, and asked if we could help. Of course, we said yes.” Laurie Hood, the founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, tells PEOPLE.
She says that Gracie arrived at the nonprofit in “heartbreaking” condition.
“Gracie was skeletal. Her bones were jutting out, and her eyes were sunken. She had to be lifted from the transport vehicle because she couldn’t stand or walk on her own. Her muscles had wasted away from prolonged starvation and confinement in one position. She weighed less than 30 pounds, shockingly underweight for her size,” Hood explains.
Despite being emaciated, injured, and left to starve in her own filth by her former caretakers, Gracie greeted the humans who helped her with a wagging tail and “incredibly sweet” demeanor.
“What struck us most was that she was trying to give kisses even in that condition. I can’t help but think she knew she had been rescued,” Alaqua’s founder explains.
After reaching Alaqua, Gracie began her “delicate” recovery, slowly putting on weight to avoid any health complications.
“With cases of extreme starvation, refeeding must be done slowly to avoid shocking the body. Our medical team created a feeding plan to introduce calories and nutrients gradually, and we administered fluids to combat dehydration. She needed physical therapy to start moving again,” Hood shares, adding that the dog also received “safety, kindness, and time” with her round-the-clock care.
While Gracie’s physical health took time to improve, her spirit bounced back quickly.
“Her resilience was humbling. She never gave up and never stopped trusting people, even when she had every reason to,” Hood says.
From Alaqua Animal Refuge, Gracie moved in with several Alaqua employees who agreed to co-foster the dog until she was ready for a home. The foster parents made sure Gracie got access to all of the finer things in life while she was healing, including nature walks, cuddly cat companions, TV couch potato sessions, and cheese.
On August 1, Gracie officially started the next chapter of her life by getting adopted by a forever family that is already obsessed with her.
“It was an instant connection. The adopters have no kids, so she’s their baby. One owner works from home, so Gracie will get a lot of attention and will be spoiled,” Hood says of the adoption.
She hopes this happy ending encourages animal lovers to support organizations that help rescue and rehabilitate pets like Gracie.
“We can learn a lot from Gracie on how to be resilient and keep moving forward despite our past challenges. Looking at her now, you would never guess the trauma she has been through with her happy bark and wagging tail,” Hood notes.