Caring for a paralyzed pet isn’t a decision to take lightly. It requires time, dedication, and a lot of love. But for the right person, it can become one of life’s most rewarding experiences.
Sadly, not every pet with special needs is lucky enough to find such a person.
That was the case for Lunita, a gentle, medium-sized dog living in Salta, Argentina. In May 2014, during the early hours of the morning, she was discovered abandoned on the side of a quiet street. Her frail body lay flat on the cold pavement, her back legs strapped to a broken wheelchair. There was no food. No water. Just a handwritten note with her name, age, and a vague explanation from the person who had left her behind—someone who said they could no longer care for her.
It was a heartbreaking scene.
Thankfully, fate had kinder plans. A worker from a nearby dog grooming business noticed Lunita and immediately contacted LUBA Salta, a local animal rescue group. Volunteers acted quickly, scooping up the disabled dog and taking her to safety.
After a brief stay at a shelter, Lunita was placed in a foster home. Her story was shared online in the hope that someone, somewhere, would open their heart and give her a permanent home.
For a long while, there was silence—until a family from the United States reached out. A fundraiser was set up to help cover the costs of transporting Lunita overseas, where she was welcomed into her new home with hope and open arms.
But the transition didn’t go as planned.
Her adoptive family, despite their best intentions, wasn’t prepared for the complex needs of a paralyzed pet. A lack of proper care led to a devastating chain of events. Lunita developed a staph infection from a mite-infested bed, which further compromised her already fragile health.
Things went from bad to worse.
She became dangerously underweight, and scabies, urine burns, and the infection caused her to lose all fur from the waist down. The pain from a severe urinary tract infection made her scream every time she had to be cleaned. It was clear she needed urgent, specialized care.
That’s when a second family stepped in.
With compassion and experience, they nursed Lunita back to health. It was a long, grueling process, but eventually, she began to heal—both physically and emotionally.
And finally, Lunita began to live the life every dog deserves.
She rolled through snow for the first time. She traveled. She made doggy friends. She played, she laughed (in her own way), and she even had birthday parties. On June 15, 2018, she celebrated her 11th birthday, surrounded by people and pups who adored her. She had her own cake, made just for her. It was one of the happiest days of her life.
But life can be painfully short for dogs with such a rough past.
Not long after her birthday celebration, Lunita’s health began to decline rapidly. She was rushed to the ICU, her breathing weak and unsteady. Each time doctors removed her from oxygen, her tongue turned blue. The writing was on the wall.
Knowing she had fought enough, her family made the heartbreaking decision to let her go peacefully. Lunita passed away with her loved ones by her side.
Her final moments were filled with love.
“I will never forget her and how much she meant to me,” her adoptive mom shared in a tearful post online. “She changed my life forever. I loved her so much.”
Lunita’s story is a testament to resilience. Though her early years were marked by abandonment and pain, her final chapter was one of warmth, joy, and deep, unconditional love.
She may be gone, but her spirit—and the impact she had on those who loved her—will never fade.