The Half-Faced Survivor

We found a dog wandering near a roadside drain, clearly in pain and discomfort. His head was tilted awkwardly, and he kept rubbing it against the ground, as if trying to ease an unbearable itch. When we got closer, the sight stopped us cold, one of his eyes was completely gone, and with it, half of his face. What remained was a deep, open wound infested with maggots. The infection was severe and had spread dangerously close to his brain.

It was one of the worst injuries we had ever seen on a street dog. Despite his pain and fear, he didn’t resist when we gently picked him up. We rushed him to our NGO’s veterinary doctor, where his urgent treatment began.

Over the next few days, the process was slow and delicate. The vet carefully removed the maggots in stages, cleaned the wound thoroughly, and applied medication to stop the infection. He was put on antibiotics and painkillers, and given fluids to help him regain strength. The first few days were critical. He couldn’t stand on his own or eat without help, but through it all, he remained calm, trusting our care even in his darkest moments.

Every small step forward was a victory. When he took his first bite of food after days of feeding tubes, we felt hope. When he wagged his tail for the first time, we knew he was fighting to live. Slowly but surely, the wound began to heal. Healthy tissue grew, and the open cavity started to close.

We named him Veer because he was a fighter — brave and strong-willed, a true warrior who refused to give up.

More than just physical healing, we saw Veer’s spirit return. He began to trust humans again, relaxing when we petted him and even playing softly at times. The scars on his face tell the story of his past, but they don’t define him. Today, Veer is safe in our animal shelter, where he’s continuing to recover and learn to enjoy life. His resilience is a powerful reminder that even in the worst situations, healing is possible when compassion meets action.

Veer’s journey is why we do what we do; every life is worth saving, and every survivor has a story that inspires.