Help Lady Heal: From Abandonment to Hope

Meet Lady RidgeWood

Just 10 months old, this sweet, injured soul was first spotted on March 14th in San Antonio’s Redland Ridge neighborhood. Her back leg was badly swollen and visibly wounded, caused by a red shoelace tied tightly around it.

A kind neighbor, Erik, saw her limping through the street and tried to help, but she bolted into a nearby greenbelt that follows Mud Creek Ravine—disappearing into the brush.

Despite her pain and fear, Lady evaded capture for 10 long days.

That greenbelt led her to RidgeWood Business Center, an office complex tucked between the ravine, Highway 281, and an active construction site. There, later that same day, business tenants and volunteers began spotting her behind Building 2.

It’s where Meredith—who had seen Erik’s post and rushed out to help—first encountered Lady.

A Fragile First Connection

Armed with hot dogs and hamburger patties, Meredith spent a couple of hours slowly earning Lady’s trust—eventually able to sit quietly just feet away. Unsure of the next steps, she reached out to the Nextdoor community for support.

Brian, a kind and intuitive volunteer, soon joined her with extra food and water. They agreed to sit quietly and continue building trust. A short while later, more well-intentioned community members arrived to help, including Amalia, a tender-hearted soul who also offered to foster Lady once captured. In the flurry of new energy and movement, Lady became spooked and bolted—vanishing once again into the ravine.

Meredith, Brian, and Amalia spent the entire weekend searching, devastated that she might not be seen again. But on Monday morning, Lady reappeared near Building 1 of the business complex—returning to the place she was using as 'home'.

️ The Rescue Mission That Changed Everything

On Sunday, March 24, a thoughtful construction worker from the KEY Construction project called in a new sighting—thanks to the flyer campaign blanketing the area. Meredith, who had been leading Lady’s search efforts since Day 1, raced to the scene.

She called in the team:

Working strategically via group call, the team surrounded the site. Dr. Woolley administered a tranquilizer dart. David’s thermal drone tracked Lady as she ran, terrified. Finally, she collapsed—sedated and safe.

Dr. Woolley carried her out of the ravine in his arms.

Meredith placed her hand on Lady’s head for the first time—finally able to touch the dog who had consumed her heart for two weeks. Everyone cried.

Lady’s Medical Fight: What Comes Next

Lady was rushed to MissionVet Specialty & Emergency Hospital , where her leg wound was assessed as severe and complex. The shoelace had cut deeply into her skin, disrupting vascular and nerve support and leaving the tissue exposed and infected.

She was stabilized, hydrated, and given antibiotics and pain meds. She’s now in the care of Dr Caroline Stewart at Family Pet Hospital of Stone Oak, where her healing journey continues.

Current Treatment:

Two Treatment Paths:

Limb Salvage + Skin Grafts

If nerve supply is viable, she may heal with weeks of intensive treatment and future skin grafting.

Amputation

If healing is too slow or painful—or if infection in the hock joint worsens—amputation may be necessary. Dogs adapt remarkably well to three legs.

Both paths require time, expert veterinary care, and funding. And Lady deserves every chance to heal.

Why This Fundraiser Matters

Lady RidgeWood’s story isn’t just a personal rescue—it’s a reflection of a much deeper crisis. San Antonio is facing an alarming surge in stray and abandoned dogs, with too many slipping through the cracks.

Without the intervention of Good Samaritans—volunteers, vets, and a drone pilot—Lady would have likely died alone in the ravine, or faced euthanasia if picked up by overwhelmed city shelters.

Her life was saved by a community that refused to give up. This fundraiser honors that effort—and helps ensure her journey from trauma to healing continues with the care she deserves.

Where Your Donations Go

Emergency care at MissionVet: $1,880.66 (paid)

In the event of surplus: funds will support other dogs in similar crisis

Transparency & Documentation

We are committed to full transparency. Copies of medical records, treatment plans, and receipts (including the $1,880 emergency invoice from MissionVet) are available upon request. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re honored by your trust and want you to know exactly where your support is going.

Help Us Help Lady

Lady RidgeWood fought to survive. Now she needs your help to thrive.

Please donate if you’re able. Every share, every dollar, every kind word makes a difference. This campaign isn’t just for Lady—it’s for every abandoned dog who deserves a second chance.

Thank you for being part of her story.

With all our love and gratitude,

Meredith, Dr. Woolley, Lizzy, Kelly, Dr. Stewart, David, and the community who brought Lady home