A Puppy’s Remarkable Recovery: Bravely Healing from Trauma

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In a heart-wrenching incident, a puppy with a shattered jaw and blown-off nose was rescued by a dedicated team after explosives detonated in its mouth. This distressing situation caught the attention of Tracy Lystra, the founder of The Saving Huey Foundation, an animal rescue charity and sanctuary in Southern California. She received a call about a dog in desperate need of help, and the poor puppy had endured a horrific ordeal when monsters strapped explosives in its mouth.

At just three months old, the dog’s jaw was completely destroyed, and there were doubts about its chances of survival. Lystra recalled, “I was contacted by someone in Mexico about Brave Heart. They sent me a picture of him, and my first instinct was to have the poor dog put down.”

With uncertainties about the veterinary options in that area, Lystra sought advice from a friend who recommended Dr. Briseno, a vet who believed he could help. Brave Heart was taken to the local vet by the Good Samaritan who found him, and the rescue organization agreed to cover the necessary surgeries.

“The vet feels there’s enough remaining jaw for ‘Brave Heart’ to be able to eat and drink, although one side of the bottom jaw is severely damaged. The damage to the nose and nasal cavity has been cleared of necrotic tissue and sewn back together,” posted the rescue.

Brave Heart underwent four surgeries to reconstruct his muzzle with a prosthetic jaw. The road to recovery was long, but this courageous and friendly pup managed to pull through. After spending two months at the hospital recuperating, it was time for him to embark on the 11-hour journey to the rescue sanctuary.

“Shortly after coming to us, he had the tube removed from his nose, and this seemed to alleviate a lot of discomforts.”

He spent another two months at the rescue, gradually recovering, before moving into the sanctuary with other rescued dogs. While no one is certain of Brave Heart’s past, veterinarians believe that the damage inflicted on this sweet pup was caused by firecrackers exploding in his mouth. “Vets here had no idea what it was, and we nearly lost him, but he has made a remarkable recovery. In Brave Heart’s case, his surgeon in Mexico, as well as the hospital staff here in the U.S., agree that it appears as if he had explosives put in his mouth. Because of the damage, it is believed that the explosive was more than likely a firecracker,” stated Lystra.

Brave Heart is a loving and friendly boy who adores everyone he meets, even after enduring such cruelty from humans. “He is so full of energy and love. He’s happiest when he’s lathering us with kisses,” wrote the rescue.

Lystra continued, “I would be lying if I said that late at night, I didn’t have awful thoughts as to what I would do to the people who commit such crimes. I am able to take a lot of what I see and hide it from my emotions, but there are times it definitely catches up with me.”

Brave Heart now enjoys playing with the other rescue dogs at Huey’s Second Chance Ranch and will spend the rest of his life surrounded by kind and loving people. Lystra expressed, “My only wish is that you could all experience a Brave Heart kiss.” A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those involved in rescuing and aiding in the recovery of Brave Heart.