We didn’t plan on rescuing a dog this week. But Aspen found us — and now we can’t imagine turning away from her.

On a quiet Sunday near downtown Dallas, we saw her: a skinny, limping stray running down our street with fear in her eyes and dirt on her coat. She was wearing a collar, and despite her obvious injury, she came right to us — trusting, sweet, and clearly desperate for help.

We got her safely into our fenced backyard. She wasn’t putting any weight on her back leg, though she didn’t cry or yelp — just wagged her tail and leaned in for affection. We immediately got her posted on lost dog pages, called the chip number on her tag, and started making calls. But every number led to a dead end. We later learned from neighbors that Aspen had been spotted roaming the area for days. She had a home once… but no one came looking.

When we took Aspen to the vet, the news broke our hearts: she has a broken pelvis or hip (the vet explained, but we were too overwhelmed to fully process which). She’ll need a surgery called a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) to relieve her pain and allow her to walk again. It’s estimated between $2,100–$2,400, and that doesn’t include the $1,000 we’ve already spent getting her dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks, x-rayed, tested for heartworm, and provided with pain medication.

We already have a full house — two cats, two dogs, and a whole lot of love. While we don’t know yet if we can permanently adopt Aspen, we do know we won’t let her suffer. We’re committed to getting her this surgery, giving her a safe place to recover, and finding her the forever home she deserves.

Aspen is young, sweet, and full of life. The vet says she’s a great candidate for surgery — her heart, lungs, and vitals are all strong. She just needs this one intervention to get her back on her feet.

If you’ve ever loved a dog… if you’ve ever seen that look of silent gratitude in their eyes… we’re asking you to help us help Aspen. Every dollar, every share, every kind word matters. Whether it’s $5 or $50, your support means the world — to us and to her.

Thank you for reading Aspen’s story and believing, like we do, that every dog deserves a second chance.

With gratitude,

Scott & Noah