Amazing Grace to make a full recovery – despite losing leg

After sustaining life-threatening injuries and undergoing extensive medical care, Grace the dog has a second chance at life.

Grace sustained severe injuries and required urgent medical care after it was suspected she was hit by a vehicle in early December. According to Stephan Hendricks, director of No More Tears Animal Rescue, they received a distressed call from a woman claiming that she spotted a dog trying to cross the R28 near a mall during the early hours of December 13. After investigating, it was evident that the dog was likely to be hit by a vehicle.

Dr Johan Naudé, a veterinarian from the Randfontein Animal Hospital immediately took Grace in. He confirmed that the astronomical injuries were without a doubt due to being hit by a vehicle. Naudé stated that Grace sustained four fractures in two leg bones, her knee bone was crushed and she was pregnant before the impact.

• Read the initial article here: Urgent donations needed for seriously injured dog

Naudé hastily began operating since Grace had a burst uterus. Thereafter, Grace underwent another four operations. Grace lost her right hind leg and had an orthopedic plate with screws placed in her front leg.

Grace was hospitalised for nearly a month to ensure intense rehabilitation.

“She takes a spot in the top 10 animals in the worst condition as well as operations that she had to have in this practice,” Naudé stated.

Riëtte Cronje, also a director at the rescue, explained that Grace now needs to be on a special diet. To Cronje, it was evident that Grace had an immense will to live. Cronje added that Grace dragged herself off the road after being hit by the vehicle and endured multiple operations to get a second chance at life.

“Whenever she needs something from me, she uses her nose to bump me. She still thinks she is a puppy. She is getting more verbal every day,” Cronje said.

Cronje is now the lucky owner of Grace and will be keeping her at home with her other 20 rescue dogs.