Tormented and Discarded — But Still So Full of Grace

When we named her Grace Anne, we meant it. Because despite everything that has been done to her, she has shown nothing but quiet grace.

NYC Second Chance Rescue received devastating information about this poor senior doge re rescued. What we initially believed to be a severe infection may, in fact, be cancer. If it is an infection, we can fight it aggressively. If it is cancer, her already fragile body may not be strong enough to endure what comes next. While we wait for definitive answers, we are treating her as though it is an infection. We cannot afford to lose time.

But that is not the only battle she is facing. Grace Anne is heartworm positive. She is profoundly underweight. She is extremely weak, with significant leg weakness that makes even standing difficult. Her jaw appears to be an old, untreated fracture — a painful reminder that her suffering was ignored for far too long.

The veterinarian was heartbreakingly clear in their assessment: Grace Anne was tormented. Used. Abused. Likely bred over and over again. And when her body could no longer withstand pregnancy, she was discarded. Even cancer or infection would not cause this level of starvation.

This was intentional. Cruel. Diabolical.

We had the hardest conversation an organization can have — about prognosis, about suffering, about whether her body is strong enough to fight. And here is where we stand: We are trying. Because she deserves to be loved. She deserves to know that her life mattered. She deserves to feel safety instead of pain.

Grace Anne remains in a 24-hour critical care hospital, receiving around-the-clock monitoring, diagnostics, medications, nutritional support, and stabilization. Every hour of hospitalization, every test, every treatment adds to her mounting medical costs — but we will not walk away from her. Not now. Not after everything she has survived.

We are asking you to stand with Grace Anne during this fragile and uncertain time. Your donation will go directly toward critical care hospitalization. advanced diagnostics to determine infection vs. cancer, heartworm treatment, medications and supportive treatment, nutritional rehabilitation, and pain management and monitoring.

We could lose her at any time. The doctor has been honest about that. But as long as she is fighting, so are we.

Please donate if you can. Please share her story. Please help us show Grace Anne that the world can be kind. She has carried pain for so long. Now let her carry hope.

3/24/26 Update

When we first shared Grace Anne’s story, we spoke about her quiet grace in the face of unimaginable suffering. Today, we are able to share something truly incredible — Grace Anne has gained 17 pounds.

That number is more than just weight. It is proof of what happens when a dog who has been starved, neglected, and discarded is finally given proper nutrition, medical care, and love. Her body is beginning to heal, and it’s telling the truth now — Grace Anne always had the ability to grow stronger. What she never had before was the chance. Every pound she gains is a powerful reminder of how much she was deprived before rescue. And every day, she continues to fight forward with the same quiet determination that inspired us from the beginning.

Grace Anne is still on her journey. She continues to need careful monitoring, ongoing medical support, and continued nutritional rehabilitation. But the strength she is showing is nothing short of remarkable. Watching her body respond to care and compassion has been deeply moving for everyone involved in her recovery.

We are so grateful to everyone who has helped give Grace Anne the care, nourishment, and kindness she was denied for far too long. Your support is quite literally helping rebuild her — pound by pound, day by day.

🙏 We still need your help. Grace Anne’s recovery is ongoing, and her medical care, specialized nutrition, and continued monitoring come with significant costs. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support her continued healing. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps ensure she keeps moving forward.

📣 Sharing her story also makes a meaningful difference and helps us reach more people who can be part of her journey.

4/4/26 Update

Grace Anne is doing incredibly well. She’s gaining weight, her spirits are bright, and she’s finally learning what it feels like to be safe and loved. Watching her experience comfort and kindness—perhaps for the first time—is truly moving. She also gets along wonderfully with other dogs and clearly enjoys their company.

Our medical team is continuing to investigate one remaining concern: an elevated white blood cell count. We are committed to identifying the cause and making sure she stays on a strong path to recovery.

Soon, Grace Anne will be making her way to New York, where we’re hopeful she’ll find the loving forever home she deserves. Your support is what makes stories like Grace Anne’s possible. Donations help cover her ongoing diagnostics, medical care, and safe transport. If you’re able, please consider contributing to help us continue her recovery journey and give her the healthy future she deserves.

5/3/26 Update

We have an update to share on Grace Anne… and it’s one we’ve been hoping for

Grace Anne came to us from one of the most horrific abuse cases, dumped on the side of the road after being used to breed, unable to stand, her body completely depleted after a lifetime of being used and discarded. When she first arrived in our care, doctors told us her chances of survival were slim. But we knew that if we could give her even a moment of a life that was pain-free, safe, and filled with love, something she had never known, it would be worth everything.

And Grace Anne she chose to fight. Today, Grace Anne is doing amazing. She’s gaining weight, she’s happy, and most importantly, she knows she is loved. Watching her experience comfort and kindness for the first time is something we will never take for granted. She also does well with other dogs and enjoys their company.

We are still working through one remaining concern. Grace Anne continues to have an elevated white blood cell count, and our medical team is actively trying to determine the cause. We are committed to getting to the bottom of it and making sure she continues on this path forward.

Grace Anne, we love you. Thank you for trusting us, and for letting us be part of your story.