The Flood Pug: Tilly’s Texas Miracle

July 2025, Kerrville — When floodwaters swallowed Tilly’s neighborhood, a tiny pug mix was swept into a raging current. Days later, our volunteers found her clinging to a collapsed fence—shivering, emaciated, and screaming in pain. Her left eye was destroyed by debris, her pelvis crushed under falling rubble, and her front paw mangled by submerged metal.

Rushed to a temporary animal triage center, veterinarians made a grim discovery: Pelvis fractures required immediate reconstruction, Gangrene threatened her infected paw, Septic shock risk from floodwater toxins.

With roads impassable, Operating in a converted warehouse by generator light, orthopedic surgeon spent 4 hours rebuilding her pelvis with pins while doctor amputated necrotic toes. "That paw would’ve killed her in 24 hours." Dr. Palmini recalled.

Tilly was on very strict rest and lots of really powerful pain medications for several weeks as we allowed the repairs to heal her little body.

Throughout the entire process, our little pug was hard to keep down. Her spirit was that of a fighter! She wanted so badly to get up and PLAAAAY!