
Willow is a purebred Neapolitan Mastiff. At 4 weeks old the breeders came to realize she had Swimmer’s Syndrome which prohibits her from walking or standing correctly.
They call it Swimmer’s Syndrome because her chest lays flat and her legs are spread out like a turtle’s.
The breeder knew he couldn’t sell her because she was considered “defective” and he was about to throw her out like trash but something changed his mind.
He posted on Facebook about the poor dog with hopes that someone would come to her rescue and adopt her. The post was shared and shared and shared until it came to the attention of a particular woman.
Usually, “defective” dogs are put down and euthanized because not many people want them. When Jennifer Williams, the President at the 2nd Chances Rescue in Norco, California, saw the post she knew she had to go get the poor baby and save her.
She got into her car and drove to the breeder’s house and when she arrived she immediately saw the puppies healthy and thriving and behind them, she saw Willow alone and laying on the ground not able to keep up.
Jennifer noticed that Willow’s condition was so bad she could barely even drink or eat anything and it broke her heart so she immediately took the pup to a therapist and within the first 2 days of having her Willow was a brave and strong puppy and took her first steps.
She continued to go to therapy and a few short months later she was healthy and able to run and even swim. She’s come a long way and is such a strong dog that has overcome so many obstacles and now 8 months later she is completely healed and is living a great life.
If you’re thankful that the breeder had a change of heart and Willow now is healthy and in a loving and safe environment now, please SHARE her story with everyone you know!

Rosa L. Stevens
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That can be fixed.
Lynda Brown
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She so sweet
Kevin Shannon
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Breeder not much of a breeder sounds like a$#%&!@*maybe someone needs to throw them away!!!!!!!
Sandra Dawson
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don’t throw puppies out because of defects, someone will always want them to love and care for ! There is a lot of kind people around that will want them !
Toy Sammons Reardon
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Prayers
Izabella Szumach
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Why are these breeders so cruel they are the reason these puppies are born this way because they over breed to begin with. Just cos they can’t make money on them doesn’t make them judge and executioner these animals have a right to live with people who will love them. Disgusting not human not humane..
Sheila Crosby Hart
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Bless u for rescuing that baby! BREEDERS ARE GREEDY! IT’S ALL ABOUT $$
Loretta Wilbanks
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Breeders see animals as commodities to be sold. They are not seen as living ,breathing creatures.
Daniel Moreno
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Jocabel Moreno
Scott Kovac
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Our Bogie was a swimmer. Our the breeder worked with him to strengthen his legs and now he couldn’t be healthier. God bless you Onedamdeer Basset Hounds for being Bogies guardian angel.
Nicola Munro
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Emma Munro
Rian Besim Lipovica
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God bless the lady who help this dog to survive
Michelle Du Plessis Jones
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What a beautiful heart wrenching story…
Beth Lamenskie
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So glad she is Healthy now!
Nancy Gragg
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She beautiful I love her
Dena Conrad Vautaw
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I’m glad to hear this story has a happy ending. Getting rid of an animal because it’s defective is just wrong. You don’t see anyone doing that to children born with disabilities
Katie Adams
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Glad the dog got a second chance .
Lyn d'Albertanson
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I love her. . I probably would have loved her even more despite her condition. I believe that breeder did it for money, not for love of animals. I don’t really understand that he would throw’ her out.. meaning to die? A little defenceless puppy to starve? All I can say is a big, huge thank you for caring.
Max Hamilton
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Fabulous
Ellen Marie
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Where did it actually say the breeder was going to throw it away????? Sounds like he/she posted to see if someone would take him and did the right thing…hmmm these stories kill me
Lynn Pankey
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Amazing what love & compassion can accomplish when working with sick or disabled animals! Great story!
Jackye Bumcrot
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Throw her out ! WTH
Prince Indrajit Law
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<3!
Gary Simpson
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I hate breeders!
Christine Barrett
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Omg throw her out a*****e
Teresa Leiva Nurrito
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My heart ❤️
Julie Smith
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Precious
Janice Findlay
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Beautiful….
Sara Halpert
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Sad that breeding is allowed
Thomas Barnhart
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I would love and care for her
Jane Dukelow Goddard
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Throw out this puppy? POS
Karen Portland
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God Bless.
Pat Horton
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Wonder what made him change his mind—????
Neacsu Liliana
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Love you Willow ❤️❤️❤️
Debbie Young
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More like throw out the heartless breeder.
Maria Douglass
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I had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that was born a swimmer. With daily physio and love and care , he managed to walk around. Clumsily and awkward but he did it. Had him along time.
Deborah Lord
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No dog gets thrown in the trash! That animal is special someone will love that dog
Sandra Rey Rodríguez
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Excelente labor, precioso!!.
Dee Alissa Andrews
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The ones who sell puppies for profit are backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Jennifer Magnuson Phillips
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“He couldn’t sell her so he was going to throw her out into the trash”.This is why no one should ever buy a dog from a breeder or pet shop. Always adopt from a shelter. Do not shop for a dog.
Carol Hyman
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Thank you to the breeder for reaching out, thank you to the rescue for taking her and thank you to the therapist who fixed her. Well done people. She’s a beauty.
Dawn Klika
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What a great outcome. Thank you for taking her in
Kyle Kegley Dever
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Debby Ruybe
Brenda Sanders Smith
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Thank you for caring!
Roh Hardin
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Beautiful outcome!
Carol Pekar Ogrinc
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Beautiful story. Beautiful dog! Thank you for saving her ❤️
Angela Pitman
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Love This Story About Willow So Happy You Took The Love And Time To Help This Beautiful Puppy! Bless You Both!!❤️❤️
Chris Rafs
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Breeder is defective and should be put down!!!!!
Luciana Pio Raposo
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a good friend got an adopted bernese moutain dog with the same syndorme walking in a few monthes.
Sandy Mills
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She is beautiful
Peggy Chambliss
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Thanks for giving her a chance-
Cheryl Mckinney
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What a beauty
Darcy Bennett
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Thank you jennifer
Marilyn Jason
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This is an incredible story
Stephen Sproul
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More times than not, swimmers are the result of newborns being kept on a surface where they cannot get traction and all 4 legs spread out and they lay flat on their abdomen moving legs like they’re swimming. Maintaining on a rougher surface like carpet or blanket requires little more cleaning maintenance, but usually corrects the swimmer issue by allowing the pup get some traction and get their feet under themselves. May need little supporting help at first.
Richard Adamson
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Gorgeous Willow!!!❤️❤️
Ray Williams
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WTF is wrong with people?! I’m genuinely concerned about the world that my children are growing up in!
Anne-Maree Adams
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Darren Adams Janine KutniewskiIlyas DogangunRati Sartina
Lisa Hartland
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She’s beautiful! I would have her, for sure!
Dawn Shepard-Bronson
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
Davina Ginter Dodge
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A good breeder would never throw a dog away. Glad this story ended happy.
Sydney Wheeler
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TAKE THAT YOU SELFISH BREEDER!
Tazmyn-May Gebbett
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Elizabeth Roberts watch the video
Caroljean Horton
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Awe bless ,
Kath Derrer
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Swimmer syndrome can be overcome in time with understanding, patience, effort and theropy.
Lois Curtain
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They make you feel that way. It’s all about money some of them should be put down
Shana Lennard
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This$#%&!@*should not be a breeder! We need to stop this money making abuse of animals. Breeders need to be qualified and meet standards, laws and regulations.
Roslyn Grant
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What is someone thought the Breeder had some defect and wanted to get rid of him?
Gillian Yarnell
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I’m with you Rosi. Dear little pup.xx
Jana Kovářová
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<3 <3 <3
Suzanne Casipit
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The woman who saved him is from my town. We love animals here.
Jo Hodgson
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Aww bless her we had a ‘swimmer’ puppy once she grew into a wonderful dog x
Tom van der Leelie
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That Angel saved the life of another living being on this sometimes cruel planet. Willow is now a magnificent looking dog.
Karma will repay those that saved her with much love
Henriette Dypsie
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Oh non pas ça merci de le sauver..
Vicki Harrington
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What kind of breeding??
Any breeding?