In January, Brittany Faske, a dedicated volunteer for the Houston-based rescue group All Dogs Official Rescue Enterprise (ADORE), received a distressing call. A construction worker had spotted an injured Pit Bull in Houston, Texas, that was hiding among bushes and appeared to have suffered severe facial injuries. The dog seemed frightened and would not let anyone come near.
Upon hearing this, Brittany immediately went to the site, uncertain of what she might discover. On arrival, she found the dog lying beside a ditch, surrounded by discarded food bags and old tires.
It quickly became apparent that the dog’s condition was far worse than she imagined. Brittany was initially concerned that the only way to ease the dog’s suffering would be through humane euthanasia.
Describing the scene to The Dodo, Brittany recounted, “This once-majestic dog was reduced to a shadow of its former self. His ribs and bones were visible, and he was caked in dirt and visibly weakened.” Despite the dog’s distressed growl as she approached, Brittany was undeterred, understanding the trauma he had endured.
As she drew closer, Brittany observed a harrowing sight: the dog’s nose and snout were missing, replaced by an unsettling, dangling piece of flesh. The clean cut suggested this was unlikely an accident, perhaps the grim work of a human hand. Coupled with the hefty infection smell, Brittany knew Apollo, as she later named him, required immediate help.
After gaining Apollo’s trust, Brittany took him to a veterinarian. Remarkably, despite his excruciating pain, the dog settled and even dozed off during the car ride. Yet, Apollo’s journey to healing was still fraught with uncertainty.
At the clinic, further examinations revealed Apollo also suffered from heartworm, a serious ailment caused by worms invading a dog’s heart tissue, potentially fatal if untreated. Brittany and the vet carefully gauged his condition by offering food and water, necessary to judge his quality of life and ability to recover.
To their delight, Apollo ate with gusto and rested his head on Brittany’s leg, signaling his determination to survive. “That’s when we realized Apollo was no ordinary dog,” shared Brittany.
Apollo underwent reconstructive surgery where a skin graft was used to protect his damaged nasal cavity. Though part of his upper jaw and some teeth were removed, he retained enough function for regular eating and drinking. Throughout his recovery, Brittany had only focused on getting him better but came to realize they shared a special bond.
Brittany introduced Apollo to her other dogs, two elderly but feisty males. She worried about how they might react to another dog, given their grumpy nature and protective tendencies. However, Apollo quickly charmed his new companions and everyone around.
With time, Brittany made the decision to formally adopt Apollo. Despite his facial injuries, Apollo thrived, living a full life filled with joy and adventure. His repaired nose enabled him to breathe and smell like any other dog, while his reconstructed jaw allowed him to play and eat without issues.
Apollo now relishes snuggling with Brittany, enjoying playful moments with his canine friends, and soaking up the sun. Additionally, he participates in personalized training sessions at Total Control K9 College every Saturday, which he seemingly loves.
Through Brittany’s unwavering dedication, Apollo has not only healed physically but has also shed his past emotional scars, growing into a loving and affectionate companion. “I’ve never met a happier dog. You can see their trust and love in their eyes,” Brittany reflected warmly.
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