Wild animals have difficulty finding food and shelter. But when a stray, like the puppy in this story, also has special needs, their challenges are greater. Rescuers and Good Samaritans who help homeless animals are everyday heroes, and we are truly grateful for all they do! A woman named Samantha meets a dog who is not only homeless. When she first meets Freddie, Samantha is struck by his friendliness but is equally concerned about his strange gait and unsteady head movements, suspecting underlying health issues.
Samantha learns from the locals that Freddie fends for himself on the streets of Texas, scavenging food and seeking shelter in people’s yards during storms. It’s a terrible situation, but luckily, it’s about to change as Samantha decides to improve her circumstances. At first, she had not planned to rehome him due to space constraints, but recognizing his urgent need for care changed his decision.
Considering that she is too vulnerable to wait for a foster arrangement, Samantha decides to take immediate action. She brought Freddie to her home in Texas and planned a visit to the vet to assess his condition. The diagnosis revealed that Freddie suffered from Cerebellar Hypoplasia, a congenital condition that affects his motor functions due to a smaller cerebellum. Although there is no cure for this condition, it is not progressive, allowing Freddie to lead a relatively normal life.
Getting to know Freddie, Samantha discovers his always friendly but occasionally shy personality. His condition did not hinder his enthusiasm for exploring and playing. Upon meeting Samantha’s other dogs, Freddie quickly became a companion, bonding with household members over his energetic disposition.
Samantha notices that Freddie likes to relax on the couch and buys him a ladder to help him get to the couch more easily. Their shared moments of couch snuggling and leisure became a daily routine. Freddie’s care under Samantha highlights her fortunate circumstances. However, the search for a permanent home for Freddie continues. When his medical treatments are over, Freddie goes to the rescue group Lola’s Lucky Day, where Samantha hopes for a loving family to embrace him.
