Last year, a big storm hit a town called De Doorns in South Africa. After the rain stopped, a kind woman named Rachael Sylvester, who runs a group called Sidewalk Specials to help dogs, went to check on some puppies she heard were living in a muddy, messy place where people throw away trash.
When Rachael got there, she saw one dog who stood out. This dog was digging through the garbage to find food, and she was limping because her leg hurt. Rachael asked people nearby about her and learned her owner was in jail, so she was all alone. Even worse, a big garbage truck had accidentally hit her, breaking her hip.
Rachael knew the dog needed help right away. She wasn’t sure if the dog would be scared, but when she gently picked her up, the dog didn’t fight or wiggle. Rachael named her Penny and could tell she was very tired and ready for someone to care for her.
Rachael took Penny straight to the vet. The doctors found out Penny had more than just a broken hip—she was also sick from bugs on her skin, a fever from ticks, and not eating enough food. Penny had a big surgery to fix her hip, and it went really well. The vets said she’d be walking normally soon. After a few weeks at the clinic, Penny went to live with a kind woman named Tam, who took care of her like a mom.
It was winter when Penny arrived at Tam’s house, so she loved snuggling under blankets by the warm fireplace. For the first time, she felt safe and cozy. Tam said Penny was so tired from her hard life that she mostly rested, but her little tail would wag happily under the blanket.
While Penny was healing, she made a new friend—Tam’s cat! They both loved relaxing together on the couch. Soon, Penny’s hip got all better, and when spring came, she could do all the fun things dogs love, like running, walking, and playing outside.
One day, a family came to meet Penny to see if she could be their dog. They loved her right away and decided to adopt her. Within hours, they told Sidewalk Specials they wanted Penny to join their family forever.
Now, Penny has been with her new family for about six months, and she fits in perfectly. She’s her dad’s best buddy and loves protecting her mom. They take her everywhere—on trips, holidays, and even to the beach, where she runs and plays so happily.
It’s hard to believe Penny used to limp through a dirty trash dump. Her broken hip is just a memory now, and she has a whole life of fun and love ahead of her. Thanks to Rachael, Tam, and her new family, Penny is one happy dog!
