When a four-month-old puppy was surrendered to the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in Ohio in April 2016, he was in such a fragile state that he couldn’t even open his mouth to eat. Despite being seriously ill, the puppy, later named Squish, displayed a remarkable spirit. His tail never stopped wagging, and he enthusiastically tried to shower everyone around him with kisses. It was as if, even in his suffering, Squish refused to let go of his love for people.
Veterinarians at the shelter examined him and initially believed he was suffering from a severe infection, likely the result of a bite from another dog. The infection had caused swelling and deformation on one side of his face, which was likely the reason he couldn’t eat or even open his jaw. In hopes of fighting off the infection and giving Squish a chance at recovery, they put him on strong antibiotics. They were determined to give him the care he deserved.
But as the days went by, the medications did little to improve his condition. In fact, Squish continued to deteriorate. His inability to eat led to serious weight loss, and he was growing weaker by the day. The shelter staff were heartbroken. Despite his joy and affection for everyone, it was clear Squish was suffering. The decision was made to schedule his euthanasia. No one wanted to see him in pain anymore. It seemed like the kindest, most humane option.
Still, letting go of a puppy with such a loving spirit wasn’t easy. The staff couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe there was something more to his story—something they hadn’t yet uncovered. Before his scheduled euthanasia, they made one final decision: to send Squish to a specialist for advanced imaging. It was a last-ditch effort, more out of hope than expectation.
The results of the X-rays were both shocking and enlightening. It turned out that Squish’s facial deformities weren’t caused by an infection at all. The scans revealed multiple skull fractures, including a badly broken upper right jaw. These injuries, likely caused by trauma, had healed improperly. Scar tissue had developed in a way that restricted the natural growth of his jaw. As a result, his mouth couldn’t open fully, which explained his inability to eat.
This discovery changed everything. There was a chance that, with the right surgery, Squish could live a normal life. But the problem remained—surgery would be expensive, and there was no one lined up to pay for it. On top of that, Squish’s health was so poor that finding an adopter seemed nearly impossible. His future still looked grim.
Enter Dr. Danielle Boyd, a young veterinarian who had just completed her internship at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. On her last day, she decided to take Squish home with her for the night. She didn’t want his final evening to be spent alone in a cold cage. It was a simple act of kindness, a way to offer him some warmth and comfort before saying goodbye.
But once she brought him home, everything changed. Squish was a completely different dog. He was joyful, curious, affectionate—full of life despite the pain he’d endured. Danielle was stunned. How could a dog who had suffered so much still trust humans so completely? That night, Squish fell asleep in her arms. And by the time morning came, Danielle knew without a doubt that she couldn’t let him go. He had to live.
She wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Dr. Eileen Heldmann, the vet who had first assessed Squish, also wanted to give him a second chance. She stepped up and performed the necessary surgery herself the very next day. The procedure was extensive—one of Squish’s eyes had to be removed, along with a tooth and a portion of his jaw. But the operation was a success. For the first time in a long while, Squish could eat.
Danielle was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw him pick up a tennis ball for the first time. “I cried seeing his excitement as he picked up a tennis ball for the first time, and that was only the beginning of his little victories,” she shared with The Dodo. Squish was finally able to enjoy the simple joys of being a dog—eating, playing, and just being loved.
From that point forward, Squish began thriving in ways no one had thought possible. He grew stronger, more energetic, and even more affectionate. He developed a love for collecting balls, romping around the house, and most of all, cuddling with Danielle. It became clear that not only had Squish found his forever home, but Danielle had found something she didn’t even realize she needed.
Just two days before she met Squish, Danielle had experienced her own heartbreak—she had lost her beloved dog. The grief was still fresh when Squish entered her life. It was as though fate had brought them together in the moment they both needed it most. The bond they formed was undeniable, and from then on, they became inseparable.
Today, Squish is a happy, healthy dog who lives each day to the fullest. His journey from near death to a life filled with love is a powerful reminder of what compassion, determination, and a little bit of luck can do. His story has touched the hearts of many, showing the world that even the most broken spirits can be healed with love.
In a world where so many animals are forgotten or given up on, Squish stands as a symbol of hope. He’s living proof that every creature, no matter how battered or broken, deserves a second chance. And thanks to a few people who refused to give up on him, Squish now lives a life full of joy, security, and endless affection. Every wag of his tail is a testament to resilience, and every kiss he gives is a thank you to the humans who saw beyond his scars.
