In April 2016, a severely ill, four-month-old puppy was left at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in Ohio. Despite his condition, the pup, named Squish, wagged his tail enthusiastically and showed affection to everyone he met. Veterinarians initially thought a dog bite had caused an infection that deformed Squish’s face, and they tried treating him with antibiotics. But as his ability to eat deteriorated, so did his strength. Soon, his caretakers considered euthanasia to prevent further suffering.

Before making that difficult decision, Squish was sent to a specialist for X-rays, which revealed shocking news. Squish hadn’t suffered from an infection; instead, he had multiple skull fractures that impaired his jaw growth, making it nearly impossible to eat. Surgery was Squish’s only chance, but no one was available to fund the complex procedure, and he remained unadopted.

Veterinarian Danielle Boyd, who had recently finished her internship at the shelter, decided to take Squish home for the night. The moment Squish entered her home, he transformed into a happy, loving dog. His resilience and trust despite his painful past touched Danielle deeply, and by morning, she knew she couldn’t let him go.

Alongside vet Eileen Heldmann, Danielle arranged the needed surgery for Squish. The procedure was a success, restoring his ability to eat. Squish’s recovery brought many small victories, like playing fetch for the first time, much to Danielle’s joy.

Later, Danielle revealed she’d lost her own dog just days before meeting Squish. Their bond felt like fate, bringing them together just when they needed each other most. Today, Squish lives happily with Danielle, collecting balls and sharing love.