When a sunburned dog named Willow was found huddled in a ditch in rural Iowa, her rescuers had no idea what lay ahead. The poor pup was in rough shape, but thanks to the quick actions of local officers and the team at It Takes A Village Animal Rescue, her life was about to change forever.
Willow was rushed to Muscatine Vet Hospital for emergency care, clinging to her foster coordinator, Karen Hartman, desperate for comfort. “She was devastated,” said Meagan Koehler, president and founder of It Takes A Village.
At first, rescuers could only guess Willow’s breed based on her paw shape. But as the days passed, something incredible happened. Her hair grew back, and the patchy coat transformed into a full, luxurious mane. “We really didn’t expect her to have such a stunning recovery,” Koehler admitted.
It turned out Willow wasn’t just any dog—she was a magnificent Great Pyrenees. “We never imagined she’d grow into this massive, fluffy beauty,” Koehler said.
Now, Willow is thriving with her new family, complete with a loving mom and playful dog siblings. She lounges on plush carpets, a far cry from the ditch where she was found.
The rescue team expressed their gratitude to the local law enforcement who saved her life. “This life was saved because of you!” they wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Willow’s story is a testament to resilience, second chances, and the power of compassion.