Fifteen minutes. That's all Higgins had left.

His euthanasia deadline was 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

At 3:45, no rescue had stepped forward for him. No adopter was waiting.

Then our volunteers walked through the shelter doors.

Just fifteen minutes later, this sweet, bouncy, one-year-old was safe.

The shelter's notes were heartbreaking:

"Severely macerated left rear foot... likely requiring amputation."

Despite what must have been excruciating pain, Higgins greeted everyone with a wagging tail and a goofy smile, doing his very best to convince us everything was fine.

Dogs are incredible like that.

Once Higgins arrived at our veterinary partner, they confirmed what we feared. His foot couldn't be saved. Amputation is the only way to give him a comfortable, pain-free future.

Then came another surprise.

After receiving pain medication, Higgins vomited sticks.

An X-ray showed something still sitting in his stomach. He'd been eating whatever he could find just to survive.

Our vets will first attempt an endoscopy to remove it. If that isn't successful, Higgins will need abdominal surgery at the same time as his leg amputation.

What started as one surgery may now become two.

Sometimes rescue isn't about finding the easiest dog to save. It's about refusing to walk away from the one who needs us most.

Higgins needed us.

We made him a promise the moment we said yes. Now we're asking you to help us keep it.

Your donation will help cover his surgeries, hospitalization, pain management, medications, and recovery so this sweet boy can finally leave survival behind and start living the life he deserves.

When he's ready to leave the hospital, Higgins will need something just as important: a foster home. He shouldn't have to recover in boarding.

If you can donate, thank you.

If you can foster, we'd love to hear from you.

If you can't do either, sharing Higgins's story helps more than you know.

Fifteen minutes saved Higgins' life.

Your generosity will help determine what comes next.

Let's make sure Higgins doesn't just survive... let's help him Thrive. ❤️

Help Higgins Thrive After a Devastating Injury