It is not a pleasant sight to come upon a dog-fighting ring. Dozens of neglected and very malnourished dogs are chained and left without food or water. These traumatic experiences can leave a lifelong scar for a dog.
In August, SPCA of Texas rescuers discovered 14 dogs in a suspected dog-fighting operation in Able Springs, Texas. When rescuer Madeline Yeaman arrived to the scene, all of the dogs were jumping and wanting her attention. All of the dogs but one.
That’s when they realized she was there. She was emaciated and dehydrated, and she was on the verge of death. She had a huge collar around her neck that was fastened to a hefty chain that was tied to an old automobile axle. She had no shelter for her to hide from the scorching Texas sun.
She was in such horrible shape that she couldn’t even move. It took time to get her to stand, since all she wanted to do was sit there with her head down. The veterinarian examined this poor pup, and said she had “almost no blood pumping through her veins.”
They took her in immediately to get her treatment started, and named her Gwen Stefani. They began by rinsing her broken, bruised, and flea-infested skin. She had repeated blood transfusions, as well as water and food.
As days went by, Gwen began picking her head up higher and higher until she felt like a dog again. “No longer was Gwen lethargic and hopeless,” the SPCA wrote. “She greets everyone with a wiggly body, wagging tail and trademark pit bull smile.”
Her spirit began to shine as her body recovered, and she began to emerge from her shell. She now likes roaming about outside and being lavished with affection and attention, something most dogs take for granted.
“She’s definitely not missing anything,” Yeaman said. “She’s got people loving on her all day long. She gets to go play outside all day long. It’s amazing what a change of environment and care and people can male in a dog’s view of the world.”
Gwen is a very happy dog, and has since found a loving home! 
treatment and behavioral rehabilitation in order to recover from their traumatic experiences. Many suffer from physical injuries, malnutrition, and psychological damage as a result of the abuse they endured.
The fact that one of the dogs in the Able Springs, Texas operation was unresponsive to the rescuers is a testament to the lasting impact that these experiences can have on animals. It’s a reminder that even after being rescued, these dogs may still require ongoing care and support in order to fully recover.
Despite the challenges, rescuers like Madeline Yeaman and organizations like the SPCA of Texas are committed to helping these dogs heal and find loving homes. Their dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating animals who have been subjected to such cruelty is truly inspiring.
