After a long road to recovery following a dog attack, one pooch has finally found relief thanks to the support of a clinic and an adopter who came years later.
Cilly came to the Stray Rescue of St. Louis four years ago after someone found him at an intersection. He had been involved in a terrible dog fight that left him with a huge, gaping wound on the side of his neck and body, swelling, and necrotic tissue.
The Missouri-based animal shelter kept Cilly in their clinic during his healing process, which took several months. Cilly needed daily bandage changes, and drains put in. The team working on Cilly even used a fish skin graph to help close the giant wound.
Once given the green light, Cilly was available for adoption. He spent time with foster families occasionally, but year after year, he waited for his forever family to come forward, welcoming him into their arms. That was until Xavier Brown came in the picture. He visited Cilly a few times to confirm it was a good fit before officially adopting him in April.
Cilly’s happy ending was shared in an April 27 Facebook post by the Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Part of the caption reads: “We are so happy to tell you that while he waited a long time, he finally found the person he’s been looking for.
Stray Rescue of St. Louis/Facebook
Stay Rescue of St. Louis found it especially difficult to get Cilly into his forever home because of the dog fight he was involved in. Cilly didn’t want to live with other dogs.
“Cilly has been doing very well lately and really has been enjoying his new home,” Brown told Newsweek via email. “He loves his long evening walks we take when I get off of work and playtime before we both start to wind down for the night.”
Cilly has already adapted to the couch life as he loves lying down and watching TV with his new “dad”. He also loves getting attention from friends who come over to visit.
The shelter worked with Cilly on his reaction toward other dogs. Understandably after his situation, he was very reactive and wanted to fight other dogs, chief communications officer for Stray Rescue of St. Louis Natalie Thomson told Newsweek. Thankfully, since being in his new home, he’s shown improvements.
“We are currently working on ignoring confrontational dogs while we go on our walks and he has been making a lot of progress there which makes me so happy,” the owner said. “We are taking baby steps but Cilly is really starting to come out of his shell!”
Viewers Celebrate
Several Facebook users remembered Cilly’s story when the rescue first shared it and now that there is a happy ending, they’re celebrating. The post had over 4,300 likes and 232 comments.
“I remember him. So wonderful that he found his human. Many wonderful years of happiness for you,” commented a viewer.
Another added: “Yay! Congratulations to Cilly and his new dad! May you have an amazing life together!”
A third wrote: “What wonderful happy ending to a horrific story. Congratulations Cilly and Dad! Hope you have the best life ever.”
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Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.