No One Thought This Poor Pup Would Live, But You Have To See Him Now

In Spanish, libre means free.

But when little Libre was surrendered to the Lancaster SPCA on Independence Day earlier this month, freedom was not something that he’d ever experienced. His horrific condition spoke volumes about the life he was forced to lead, and it was not a good one. Up to that point, he’d never been able to free himself from physical and emotional pain.

When volunteers from Speranza Animal Rescue found the little guy, their hearts broke when they saw the condition he was in. Although all hope seemed to be lost when they first laid eyes on Libre, the pup’s current state paints a far more inspiring picture.

Warning: Libre’s condition upon arriving at the shelter may be shocking to some readers.

This is Libre. When he arrived, rescuers really didn’t know if he’d make it through the night.

This is Libre. When he arrived, rescuers really didn't know if he'd make it through the night.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

He was weak and his skin smelled like it was literally rotting away.

He was weak and his skin smelled like it was literally rotting away.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

He couldn’t even stand on his own, and his entire body was essentially an open wound.

He couldn't even stand on his own, and his entire body was essentially an open wound.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Janine Guido, the director of Speranza Animal Rescue, was absolutely disgusted that the pup was surrendered in such awful condition.

Janine Guido, the director of Speranza Animal Rescue, was absolutely disgusted that the pup was surrendered in such awful condition.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Worse still was the fact that a breeder gave him up, which means that many more dogs could’ve been living in constant pain on that woman’s watch.

Worse still was the fact that a breeder gave him up, which means that many more dogs could've been living in constant pain on that woman's watch.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

But all they could do at that point was make sure that the dog they were able to help received everything he needed.

But all they could do at that point was make sure that the dog they were able to help received everything he needed.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

The first vet who saw Libre told Guido to give up. She refused.

The first vet who saw Libre told Guido to give up. She refused.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

That’s when the dedicated woman took him to Dillsburg Veterinary Center in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.

That's when the dedicated woman took him to Dillsburg Veterinary Center in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

They vowed to do everything they could to make him feel comfortable and loved, which they hoped would get him on the road to recovery.

They vowed to do everything they could to make him feel comfortable and loved, which they hoped would get him on the road to recovery.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Much to everyone’s surprise, the little dog kept fighting.

Much to everyone's surprise, the little dog kept fighting.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

The further these veterinarians delved into Libre’s case, the more horrific it became.

The further these veterinarians delved into Libre's case, the more horrific it became.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

He needed an intense round of antibiotics, and there were maggots living in his skin.

He needed an intense round of antibiotics, and there were maggots living in his skin.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Despite being abused and neglected, he gladly welcomed love and affection from staffers.

Despite being abused and neglected, he gladly welcomed love and affection from staffers.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

And they gave him plenty of it.

And they gave him plenty of it.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

With some help from generous donors, like the little girl pictured here, they were able to give Libre everything he needed.

With some help from generous donors, like the little girl pictured here, they were able to give Libre everything he needed.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

The little guy was spoiled rotten, just as he should have been all his life.

The little guy was spoiled rotten, just as he should have been all his life.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

After days of rigorous care, the determined dog rose to his feet.

After days of rigorous care, the determined dog rose to his feet.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Although he experienced plenty of setbacks, he kept pushing forward.

Although he experienced plenty of setbacks, he kept pushing forward.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

A little bit of light came back to Libre’s eyes, which were marred by corneal ulcers.

A little bit of light came back to Libre's eyes, which were marred by corneal ulcers.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

The nugget certainly wasn’t starved for attention anymore!

The nugget certainly wasn't starved for attention anymore!

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Day after day, Libre continued to improve.

Day after day, Libre continued to improve.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

His recovery was slow, but steady.

His recovery was slow, but steady.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Because he had so many wounds, it was very important to keep him in a sterile environment.

Because he had so many wounds, it was very important to keep him in a sterile environment.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Heartbreakingly, the same woman surrendered Libre’s mother. She was also in very poor condition.

Heartbreakingly, the same woman surrendered Libre's mother. She was also in very poor condition.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

While rescuers are so thrilled that Libre’s on the mend, Guido is still horrified with how the case is being handled by the SPCA center to which he and his mother were given.

While rescuers are so thrilled that Libre's on the mend, Guido is still horrified with how the case is being handled by the SPCA center to which he and his mother were given.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

A representative from the Lancaster SPCA said that the organization will not be pressing charges against the breeder.

A representative from the Lancaster SPCA said that the organization will not be pressing charges against the breeder.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

The rep explained to LancasterOnline that they cannot prove “beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual willingly and knowingly grossly neglected care for the animal intending to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm.”

The rep explained to LancasterOnline that they cannot prove "beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual willingly and knowingly grossly neglected care for the animal intending to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm.”

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

But how is that even possible? Libre and his mother clearly suffered at the hands of an abuser.

But how is that even possible? Libre and his mother clearly suffered at the hands of an abuser.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

How else would they have gotten so sick?

How else would they have gotten so sick?

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

That’s exactly what Guido wants to know. As she explained to the same site, “I don’t know how [Libre] could have been in worse condition.”

That's exactly what Guido wants to know. As she explained to the same site, "I don’t know how [Libre] could have been in worse condition."

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

Although it’s unfair, she’s just happy that her favorite little guy is healing.

Although it's unfair, she's just happy that her favorite little guy is healing.

Facebook / Speranza Animal Rescue

She’s even happier, however, that she will be the one taking him home. She promised him that if he healed, he’d have a forever home with her. She’s not going back on that.

She's even happier, however, that she will be the one taking him home. She promised him that if he healed, he'd have a forever home with her. She's not going back on that.

Facebook / Speranza Animal Rescue

He’s finally well enough to run and play!

He's finally well enough to run and play!

Facebook / Speranza Animal Rescue

Instead of heartbreak, Libre now has nothing but love, kisses, and plenty of sunshine on the horizon.

Instead of heartbreak, Libre now has nothing but love, kisses, and plenty of sunshine on the horizon.

Facebook / Dillsburg Veterinary Center

If you’d like to make this beautiful boy’s life a little bit sweeter, please consider donating to his medical bills here and get him something fun to play with on his wish list.

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