For a long time, he dragged himself along the road, his body battered and begging for help with every painful pull. His back legs were immobile, suspected to be due to a spinal injury, forcing him to drag his lower body along concrete and asphalt. His back paws were swollen, raw, and covered in wounds from the relentless friction against the ground.

When we found him, he was trembling, his body frozen with cold and fear. He didn’t know we were there to help, and his eyes were filled with mistrust. How long he had suffered like this, we could only guess. But what mattered now was that he was finally safe. Tomorrow, we would take him to the vet to assess his injuries and begin the treatment he so desperately needed.

At the clinic, the vet confirmed his body temperature was stable, and he tested negative for vector-borne diseases. However, his bladder was full, and he was incontinent, leaking urine. Despite this, he responded to touch and pain during the sensitivity exam—a hopeful sign. The vet started him on antibiotics to ease inflammation around his spine, along with Dexamethasone, hoping this combined treatment would improve his mobility.

In the days that followed, I stayed by Niko’s side, spending each day with him during therapy sessions and infusions. Unfortunately, he would only eat meat, refusing any other food, and often vomited after meals. Despite the pain, Niko showed immense patience with every intervention, and today, for the first time, he wagged his tail—a small but heartwarming sign of progress.

While the chances of him walking normally are slim, we remain hopeful. Even if full recovery isn’t possible, any improvement is worth the effort. We will keep trying, giving him every chance to heal and find happiness again.

Every day, Niko shows a bit more resilience, his spirit unbroken despite the hardships he’s faced. His journey isn’t over, but with care and patience, he’s one step closer to a life free from pain and suffering.