By the time rescuers spotted Susanna, she had nearly surrendered to despair.
Left beside a dumpster in a Florida dumping ground notorious for abandoned pets, the young dog was emaciated, crawling with fleas and ticks, and too weak to stand. She couldn’t even lift her head.
Local animal rescuer Isabel Zapata, who regularly checks the area for discarded animals, discovered Susanna in early May. She immediately called Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue, who didn’t hesitate to step in.
“Animals are just routinely dumped out there to die,” said Laurie Kardon, a board member with the rescue. “It’s a dangerous place with trucks speeding through. So many don’t make it. It’s heartbreaking.”
Because Susanna was unable to walk, rescuers carefully lifted her onto a tarp and carried her to safety.
She was rushed to an animal hospital, where vets worked quickly to stabilize her. Tests suggested paralysis, though the cause was unclear. No one knew if she would ever walk again.
After a transfer to Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, specialists began piecing together her past. She had no spinal injuries and no broken bones. Instead, her body told a different story.
“She had arthritis and deformities in her legs that suggest she’d been confined in a crate most of her life,” Kardon explained. “She was likely used for breeding, and when she was no longer useful, they dumped her.”
Despite her suffering, 3-year-old Susanna’s spirit shone through.
“The first time I saw her, she lifted her head and licked my face,” Kardon recalled. “That was it. I knew she wanted to live, and we were going to fight for her.”
Her recovery plan included high-quality food, pain relief, and physical therapy.
Slowly, strength began returning to her frail body. Just over a week later, vets guided Susanna into a rehabilitation pool.
She took her first steps in the water.
“We were all in tears,” Kardon said. “It was such a relief.”
With regular water therapy and laser treatments, Susanna’s progress has been remarkable. Her eyes sparkle again, her tail wags nonstop, and she greets everyone with joy.
She’s even strong enough now to play with other dogs — and has discovered the simple delight of rolling in fresh grass.
For the first time in her life, Susanna is happy.
“She is strong, determined and brave, but also so sweet and loving,” Kardon said. “She’s really a testament to her breed. She’s got the heart of a Rottweiler.”
Though she still has a road ahead, one day soon Susanna will be ready to find the forever family she’s always deserved. Until then, she’s soaking up love, healing, and proving every day that her spirit is unbreakable.
To support Susanna’s recovery, you can donate to Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue.
