Athena’s road to recovery

My name is Lexy Stallins and my 8 month old puppy Athena was tortured, shot, & left to die… I had been desperately looking for her for 3 days when Jamie, the manager of Caldwell County Animal Shelter, contacted me & told me that she had a brindle Pitt, that had been thrown out of a truck about 3 miles away from my house, she couldn’t move her back legs, & there was a ratchet strap tied around them. She said that they were headed to the vet and she would send me pictures when they got there. At first I was thinking there’s no way someone did this to my baby girl, I mean she is the sweetest puppy… but then I got the pictures, I instantly lost it but in the midst of a mental breakdown I quickly called one of my best friends to come get me to meet them at the vet. When I got to the vet Jamie’s mother in law met me outside and told me that my baby had been shot.. I would’ve never imagined that this would happen, I mean we all think that these kind of things will never happen to us, until it does.. I was devastated and a wreck so I had to get myself back together before I walked in the room because I didn’t want Athena to see me like that. When I walked through the door you could tell she was so excited and relieved to see me but she was so hurt she couldn’t move. I’ll never forget the look she gave me, it completely crushed my heart. The vet in Princeton couldn’t do anything for her so he set an appointment with a specialist. We went to the specialist yesterday and he said that taking the bullet out would not improve her mobility any because the bullet had already been through her spinal cord and was in her muscle so it had already done the damage, she’s not in much pain as she is now, & going to surgery would just make things harder for her. My next step is getting her completely healed and then looking into & pricing a wheelchair for her to get around in. Athena means the world to me. She deserves the WORLD, she did NOT deserve this. I’ve had so many people, including a vet, say things to me like “you really need to think about this, she’s going to be a whole lot of trouble” or something along those lines…I’ve been in the shoes Athena’s in right now.. In 2019 I was in a wreck and both my legs were broken, I thought I was paralyzed. And I will be the first to tell you that in its self is a mind altering experience but to sit an wonder what is going through her head or what she was thinking or feeling when whoever was beating her & then shot her, or whatever the case was, just absolutely crushes me. I know she was wondering where her momma was and why I wasn’t there to protect her.. I wasn’t disposable because my legs didn’t work so why should she be? I think she should get to live the best life possible not die.. I have absolutely committed myself to caring for her & making sure she has the best life. There is nothing to think about, there is no question to ask myself because she is not less or more trouble just because she needs extra care. She is just a sweet puppy that was completely traumatized & tortured by a cruel & evil person.. This world doesn’t deserve dogs, WE do not deserve dogs. Because of my experience and knowing what it’s like I am even more compassionate about seeing this through and helping her to the best of my ability! I haven’t been able to keep a job since the wreck because of my legs and I can’t get on disability because I’m too young and I do not have a vehicle. So moving forward I am going to need help & that is the reason for setting up this go fund me account. We are going to need money for food, gas money to get her places, diapers, wipes, baby powder, pads, treats, and things that will just make her life a little easier because she deserves that and more! Anything you can give will help and we will be more than grateful for it, just the support y’all have been giving is a blessing and you best believe I’m giving her enough lovings to make up for everyone that hasn’t seen her in person! Thank you all for everything, especially Caldwell County Animal Shelter & Safe Haven! You all are special people and hold a special place in mine & Athena’s heart! Hugs & kisses to you all from Athena❤️