Buddy Needs Emergency Surgery After Devastating Trap Injury

Buddy never should have been there. Somewhere along the way, this sweet dog crossed paths with an illegal wildlife trap. We may never know how long he was caught, but we do know this: when the person who set the trap realized a dog was inside, Buddy was released… and then left behind, injured, in pain, and completely on his own.

Now that Buddy is safe with us, the full extent of his injuries is becoming clear — and it’s devastating. His wrist is broken in a way that cannot be repaired. The damage is so severe that Buddy will likely need an amputation to give him the chance at a pain-free life. Before that can even happen, he will need to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon, which significantly increases the cost of his care. On top of that, Buddy is weak and run down. He needs time, nutrition, and support to build up enough strength to safely undergo surgery.

Right now, Buddy urgently needs:

\\\\\\\\- Comprehensive veterinary evaluation - Pain management to keep him comfortable - Ongoing wound care and infection prevention - A specialized orthopedic consult - Stabilization and nutritional support to prepare for surgery - Likely amputation and post-operative care

This is no longer a simple injury — it’s a complex, urgent medical case. And yet, through it all, Buddy remains gentle, trusting, and so incredibly deserving of a second chance. He didn’t choose this. He didn’t deserve this. But with the right care, he can still have a full, happy life — dogs adapt beautifully after amputation, and many go on to run, play, and love just like before.

Emergency cases like Buddy’s are costly and unpredictable, and this one is especially significant. But time matters. The sooner we can get him the care he needs — including surgical intervention — the sooner he can begin to heal.

Buddy has already endured something terrifying and cruel. Let’s make sure that’s not the end of his story. Please consider donating today to help cover Buddy’s critical medical care. Your support will give him relief from pain, a chance to heal, and the future he deserves. Together, we can turn this moment of cruelty into a story of compassion — and give Buddy his life back.

5/11/26 Update

Buddy has officially been transferred to the orthopedic specialist so we can finally discuss what options may be possible for his injured leg. This is a huge step forward in his journey toward healing, and we are hopeful that the specialist will help determine the best path to give Buddy a comfortable, pain-free future.

The good news is that Buddy is already showing signs of improvement. Since coming into our care, he has gained weight, looks significantly healthier, and is beginning to regain some strength after everything he endured. Seeing him brighter, stronger, and more comfortable has been incredibly encouraging for everyone involved in his care.

While we are still waiting for the orthopedic team’s full assessment, we know Buddy still has a long road ahead. Whether that means attempting treatment or moving forward with amputation, he will continue to need specialized veterinary care, pain management, and ongoing support during recovery.

Through it all, Buddy remains unbelievably sweet and trusting despite the cruelty and suffering he experienced before rescue. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated, shared his story, and helped get him this far. Your support is truly giving Buddy a second chance.

Please continue to keep Buddy in your thoughts as we move into this next stage of his care. Every donation helps us continue providing the medical treatment he urgently needs — and brings him one step closer to the happy, pain-free life he deserves.

5/26/26 Update

Buddy came to us after suffering unimaginable cruelty when he became trapped in an illegal wildlife trap, leaving his paw catastrophically injured. We believed his crushed foot would be the biggest hurdle he faced, and the plan was to move forward with orthopedic surgery or amputation once he was stable enough. But after continued testing and evaluation, Buddy has now been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks his muscles.

This devastating condition changed everything. Because of how severely his immune system has affected his body, Buddy was no longer healthy enough to undergo surgery for his leg. The extreme muscle loss and weakness we were seeing were not simply from starvation or neglect — his own immune system has been actively attacking his muscles, leaving him incredibly thin and fragile.

The good news is that Buddy’s paw itself has actually healed far better than expected. Right now, our focus has shifted completely toward managing his autoimmune disease and helping him feel as strong and comfortable as possible.

Buddy is now staying with me at home, where he is receiving daily steroids and ongoing supportive care to try to control the autoimmune issues he will face for the rest of his life. His condition is unfortunately lifelong, and because he requires consistent medical management and daily medication, we know he can never safely return to life as a street dog. So Buddy is staying with us forever.

And despite everything his body has endured, Buddy remains unbelievably happy. He still wags his tail constantly, gets excited for meals, loves cuddles, and greets every bit of kindness with complete trust and love. Watching him continue to choose joy after all the pain he has suffered has been incredibly emotional.

We are so deeply grateful to every single person who has donated, shared his story, and supported his care. Your compassion gave Buddy a chance not only to survive, but to finally know safety, comfort, and love.

His medical needs are ongoing and lifelong, and donations are still greatly appreciated to help cover his medications, veterinary monitoring, specialty care, and long-term treatment.

6/25/26 Update

When Buddy first came into our care, we feared the devastating injury to his paw would define the rest of his life. What began as a rescue from an illegal wildlife trap quickly became a much more complex medical journey, revealing a rare autoimmune disease that attacks his muscles and requires lifelong treatment and specialized care. Today, we are happy to share that Buddy's story has reached a beautiful new chapter.

While Buddy's autoimmune condition cannot be cured, it can be managed with careful monitoring, daily medications, and specialized support. Because of the severity of his condition, Buddy requires ongoing medical management, including medications, regular veterinary care, and even a pureed diet to help meet his nutritional needs. Returning to life on his own was never going to be an option. That's why Buddy will be spending the rest of his life exactly where he belongs: safe and loved at Hand to Paw's sanctuary.

Here, Buddy will continue receiving the specialized care he needs every single day while surrounded by people who know and love him. He will never have to worry about hunger, pain, abandonment, or surviving on the streets again.

Despite everything he has endured, Buddy remains one of the happiest dogs we've ever met. His tail still wags constantly, he eagerly greets his caregivers, enjoys his meals, and soaks up every bit of affection offered to him. He continues to remind us daily that resilience and joy can exist even after tremendous hardship.

We cannot thank you enough for making this outcome possible. Every donation, share, comment, and word of encouragement helped provide Buddy with the diagnostics, treatments, specialist care, medications, and support he needed to reach this point. Because of your compassion, a dog who was once discarded and left to suffer now has security, comfort, and a future filled with love.

From all of us at Hand to Paw—and especially from Buddy—thank you for believing he was worth saving. Your generosity changed his life forever.

While this campaign is coming to a close, Buddy's journey continues, and he will remain a cherished member of the Hand to Paw family for the rest of his days. Thank you for giving Buddy the second chance he deserved.