Bandit’s story began with a report of a dog being shot in the head on the North Side of Youngstown. A man had found him in his shed and called for help. Greg, the rescuer, rushed over to pick him up and took him straight to the vet in Girard. The bullet wound was several days old, and Bandit was very emaciated. He was likely freezing, starving, and in horrible pain, all alone in the dark. The staff at Medvet named him Bandit and began his treatment for infection and peripheral nerve swelling.
The first day was heartbreaking, as Bandit couldn’t stand or walk. But the staff at the vet took good care of him, feeding him small meals, and monitoring him throughout the day. He showed signs of improvement, walking a little outside and eating and drinking. However, by day four, he wasn’t very active, and the concern was that his behavior was due to the injury from the bullet.
Bandit spent ten days working on gaining weight and recovering from his gunshot wound. His little soul seemed broken, and love was still a foreign thing to him. But with time and lots of love, his body and mind began to heal, and he took baby steps in connecting with people. He gained over two pounds and, by day 32, weighed in at 56 pounds. His incredible progress was a testament to the care and attention he received from his caretakers.
Day 80 marked a significant milestone for Bandit, who had transformed from a tragic victim to a beautiful and happy dog. He never forgot how to love, and thanks to the support of many, he had overcome unimaginable suffering. Bandit’s journey to recovery was an inspiring example of resilience and hope, reminding us that with love and care, even the most broken souls can heal.
