Update for Duchess's fans: She has stabilized! MedVet was able put Duchess under this evening to repair her jaw. She did wonderfully. Duchess's critical care team originally believed that surgery to repair Duchess's pelvis would be necessary because of the fractures are located in load bearing portions of her pelvis. However, they have been encouraged by Duchess’s continued attempts to stand. We are therefore going to attempt conservative treatment to heal Duchess's pelvic fractures, which will involve about 6 weeks of kennel rest and then a gradual return to activity.

Because Duchess underwent a procedure tonight, MedVet asked me and Meghan to not visit. We will be by in the morning to check on her and provide further photo updates. We are also now looking at less intensive veterinary hospitals to transfer Duchess's care. We've had a few step up to offer assistance. More on that tomorrow.

Thank you, everyone, for your support. We COULD NOT be doing this without you. We've now incurred over $6,000 in medical expenses, and this will continue to grow over the next few weeks. But importantly, it looks like our girl is out of the woods.

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This is Ali Fritsche-Hinckley and Meghan Palla. We are Dallas Animal Services (DAS) fosters. Duchess, a DAS shelter dog, was at an adoption event on December 8, 2024, when she got loose, bolted, and was hit by a car. The driver did not stop for Duchess, but a Good Samaritan stayed with her until help could arrive.

Duchess suffered several injuries to her skull, jaw, and pelvis, including multiple pelvic fractures. She has internal bleeding and a liver laceration.

No rescue has stepped up for Duchess because of her medical costs, but Meghan and I were not willing to let her die at DAS, where she would have died in her kennel or been euthanized.

We first took Duchess to Veterinary Emergency Group. She has since been transferred to Dallas MedVet where she is undergoing extensive and expensive treatment to save her life. We estimate Duchess’s treatment to cost multiple thousands of dollars. Her medical expenses reached over $4,700 during her first night of treatment. Despite her terrible condition, Duchess has shown that she’s ready to fight, even trying to wag her tail.

While Meghan and I wish we had multiple thousands of dollars to save Duchess, we just don’t have it. But we will do everything we can to fight for this girl. We just need your help.

Duchess’s life has meaning. She deserves a chance.