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Writer's pictureHealing Souls Sanctuary

Angela’s Story: A Sweet Angel Finds Her Forever Home

Sometimes, angels don’t come with wings. At Healing Souls Sanctuary, we’ve seen that they can appear in the form of a trembling pit bull with scars, walking toward us on shaky legs. This is the story of Angela, a beautiful pit bull who showed up in Melanie’s life just when they both needed each other the most.


A Nameless Soul


Before being rescued, Angela didn’t even have a name. She lived on a farm that Melanie would pass by regularly. Each time, she’d stop to say hello, and every time, Angela would try to come closer, but with visible difficulty. She was scared, uncertain, and would only stay for a brief moment before retreating. Her body was heartbreaking to see—half the weight she should have been, with ribs sticking out and a waist no bigger than that of a cat. The worst part wasn’t her thin frame; it was her skin. Her face and body were scarred from the bites of ticks and fleas that had eaten away at her flesh.


Despite all of this, Angela greeted Melanie with a wagging tail, wobbling her hips from side to side, struggling because of an old hip injury from being hit by a motorcycle. She spent her days protecting the farm, lying on the main street, exposed to the dangers of the road and the elements.


A Small Act of Kindness


One day, Melanie couldn’t bear to see Angela like that any longer. She arrived with tick and flea medication, treating all the dogs on the farm. It was a small act, but it made a world of difference. Angela’s coat began to show signs of improvement, and Melanie started to see a glimmer of what she could become—a beautiful, strong dog with a spirit that refused to be broken.


A few weeks later, El Refugio Ballena, the local dog shelter where Melanie volunteers, was hosting a spaying clinic in the rural farms. Melanie offered to accompany Angela’s owner to the clinic. They tied up Angela and another female dog in the back of the pickup truck and headed off.


Angela stood out among the hundreds of dogs in line that day. She was the thinnest, her condition catching the attention of everyone around. Because she didn’t even have a name, they labeled her as “Pinta 2,” just another nameless dog among many. They also didn’t know if she was pregnant, which added a layer of concern. Since Melanie was volunteering that day, she made sure to inform the staff to check for pregnancy before the surgery.


A Glimpse of Hope


Angela’s operation went well. El Refugio Ballena generously donated a bag of food and provided new leashes for her owner, whose old ones were broken. Melanie had the privilege of being in the recovery room with Angela as she woke up. Her ears were cleaned, her nails trimmed, and one of the volunteers even asked about the scabs on her face, body, and ears. They were shocked, thinking it might be a disease, but Melanie explained that it was the result of severe tick and flea infestations. Now that she had been treated, Angela could finally begin to heal.


Melanie felt crushed when they had to load Angela back into the pickup truck and return her to the farm. Despite the love her owner had for her, she was still neglected and needed so much more care. Melanie insisted on bringing both dogs home with her for a few days to help them recover properly.


The Sweetest Cuddles


For the first time, Angela and her German Shepherd friend, Pinta 1, experienced what it was like to be part of a real home. They cuddled up in Melanie’s room, and they all slept together for the first time. Pinta 1 was shy, hiding under the bed, but Angela, this sweet angel, came to Melanie with a little more confidence each time. After three days, it was time to return them to the farm. However, Angela’s incision had reopened slightly, and the veterinarian recommended another operation. She had to endure anesthesia and medication all over again.


Melanie returned Pinta 1 to the farm with a big bone as a gift, but she couldn’t let Angela go. On the way back, Melanie saw her farmer friend and stopped to talk. Just a week before, Melanie had lost her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Lili, and was grieving deeply. She asked the farmer if she could keep Angela, if she could give her a new home where she would be cherished. He agreed.


Melanie’s heart was filled with gratitude. Angela wasn’t just coming home to recuperate; she was coming home to stay and finally live the life she deserved.


Learning to Be a Dog


Angela is now learning how to play, both with other dogs and with humans. She takes walks without a leash because, as a farm dog, she finds them awkward. The funny part is, she doesn’t need one—she walks right by Melanie’s side. She gets along wonderfully with the other dogs at the sanctuary and is an absolute joy to have around. She is delicate, gentle, and incredibly affectionate.


Melanie treats Angela’s scars with coconut oil every day, and her fur has become lush and soft. Her ears feel like velvet, and the fur on her legs has fully grown in just two weeks. Angela still limps when she gets up from a long nap, and Melanie is doing physiotherapy on her hip to help. They hope to get scans of her hip soon to see if surgery might be an option.


Where Your Help Makes a Difference


Angela has made incredible progress in such a short time, but there’s still a long road ahead. We want to give her every chance at a full recovery, and this is where your donations can make a real impact. With your support, we can get the medical scans and treatments she needs to ensure she gets the best care possible.


Angela is our sweet angel, and thanks to Melanie’s love and your kindness, she has found her forever home at Healing Souls Sanctuary. Thank you for reading her story and being a part of her healing journey. Together, we can give her the life she was always meant to have.


Our sweet Angela has already endured so much, yet her spirit remains unbroken. Now, she needs our help to continue her healing journey. To provide her with the comfort and care she deserves, we’re raising funds for essentials like bedding, nutritious food, toys, vaccinations, and heartworm treatment. Most urgently, we need to perform a hip scan to determine if surgery can relieve her pain and improve her mobility. Your support can transform her life.


Please donate today—every contribution brings us one step closer to giving Angela a safe, happy, and healthy future.

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