This comes from The Animal Rescue Site, which in addition to featuring fan-submitted rescue stories, offers a wide selection of clothing, décor, pet supplies, and other gifts.  For each purchase made, a food donation is made to shelter pets in need.

• Maverick is a sweet little Jack Russell Terrier found lying on the ground with terrible injuries. Chris, a volunteer of our rescue, saw Maverick dragging his back legs around and called us right away. This poor dog must have been dragging himself for quite a while because he had scrapes and sores on his body. We didn’t think he had a chance of surviving.Upon the first vet visit it was determined that his spinal cord was severed and he would never walk again. The vet said he has no feeling and his medical care could be astronomical, estimated anywhere from $6,000-8,000. Should we euthanize this poor dog? We’ve heard of stories of dogs living full and happy lives while paralyzed and using a wheelchair so why couldn’t we try.

• The vet did x-rays and realized his back was broken. Also, his leg was severely broken, his spinal cord completely severed and he had no control of his bladder or bowels. We had to make a tough decision. When I went back to see Maverick, he just melted into my hands. We knew we couldn’t fail him and promised we would help him. Against the recommendation of the neurosurgeon, we’re going to save his life. He spent two nights at the emergency vet getting fluids and antibiotics. He had a CT scan which revealed something both horrifying and inspiring, his spinal injury was at least one month old. What happened to Maverick a month ago before he broke his leg? We will never know.