In an uplifting twist, a puppy who arrived at a South Florida animal hospital in dire condition after suffering abuse has made an incredible recovery and found his forever home with one of the veterinarians who treated him. The pitbull pup, formerly known as Dexter, is now called Finn and lives with Dr. William Rattray and his family in Naples.
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“He’s been a great addition to our family,” said Dr. Rattray of the four-month-old dog he adopted from Leader Animal Specialty Hospital in Cooper City. “We could fix him, we can give him a good home, and he’ll be with us for the long haul.”
Finn Has a Rough Start
It was certainly a rough start for Finn, who was rushed to the hospital last month in critical condition, having endured injuries that police say were inflicted by his previous owner, 21-year-old Daniel Smith. Smith turned himself in and was charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
After weeks of intensive treatment and recovery at Leader, the once unresponsive pup made a tremendous turnaround, catching the eye of Dr. Rattray. The veterinarian’s own family pitbull had passed away last year, leaving a void Finn has now filled.
“My family used to own a pit bull but she died last year and it has been hard for the Rattray’s to cope with that loss,” Dr. Rattray explained. “So when they saw Dexter who they have now named Finn, they immediately decided to welcome him into their home.”
Finn has landed in an ideal scenario – adopted by an expert pet owner who can continue monitoring his medical needs while showering him with love and affection. He now has a nine-year-old boy to play with, plus two cat siblings in his new Naples home.
New Home for the Puppy
“New name, new start, new house – forget the past and stay positive for the future,” Dr. Rattray said of the fresh chapter for the resilient pup.
While one of Finn’s hind legs fractured during the abuse requires ongoing monitoring, he is otherwise a joyful, healthy pup eager to begin puppy socialization classes in his neighborhood. The transformation from the battered stray who could barely respond at arrival to a thriving family pet is astonishing.
Leader Animal Hospital staff expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity, which helped fund Finn’s medical care through donations. For the hard-luck pup who experienced such cruelty, finally landing in a loving home with veterinary expertise to guide his continued recovery is the ultimate happy ending.
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