An engaged couple from Arkansas has touched hearts around the world after using their entire wedding fund—and more—to save the life of an abandoned puppy. Their sacrifice not only gave a critically injured dog a second chance but also brought together a community of strangers determined to help.
A Desperate Plea on Facebook
On Halloween night, Dylan McCay was scrolling through Facebook after work when he saw a post that stopped him cold: a dog had been hit by a car and left for dead just 20 minutes away. Without a second thought, he rushed to help.
“I prayed that someone had already helped her,” Dylan wrote in a now-viral post. “But as I kept driving, I saw her. Her back legs were both covered in blood and appeared broken. She was shivering and coughing. Despite her injuries, she tried to crawl towards me and laid her head on my lap.”
A Costly Lifesaving Choice
With the help of a few strangers, Dylan got the pup into his car and drove to the nearest emergency hospital. There, vets confirmed the worst: both of the dog’s hind legs were broken, one with an open fracture that punctured the skin. To make things harder, she wasn’t microchipped—meaning Dylan and his fiancée, Emily Roberts, would be financially responsible for her care.
“I decided in that moment that I would do whatever was necessary to help this puppy,” Dylan said. “She deserved a chance at life.”
Surgery or Euthanasia?
The initial prognosis was grim. Vets believed one leg would need to be amputated, and the other would require a high-risk, highly complex surgery. Many local surgeons refused the case.
“The doctor told us the operation needed to be perfect,” Dylan recalled. “But nobody would take it.”
Determined not to give up, Dylan drove a 10-hour round trip to Mississippi State University in hopes they could save the pup. There, the couple finally found a surgeon willing—and confident enough—to perform the delicate procedure.
Strangers Step Up
Moved by the couple’s selfless act, people online began donating. Their GoFundMe campaign quickly soared past expectations, raising over $30,000—three times the original goal.
Emily shared: “To be fully transparent, this is one of the toughest situations we’ve ever experienced emotionally and financially. But we love her, and we’re committed to giving her the life she deserves.”
Welcome Home, Maple
The surgery was a success. The pup—now named Maple—finally came home after more than three weeks at the hospital. She’s now in recovery, learning to walk again and rediscovering joy.
“We’ve gotten to learn how silly of a girl she is,” Dylan shared. “She loves tennis balls and belly rubs!”
A Life Worth More Than a Wedding
While Dylan and Emily may have delayed their dream wedding, their decision gave Maple a future. And thanks to the kindness of strangers, they’ll still get to celebrate—with Maple right there beside them.
“No celebration is more valuable than a life,” Dylan said. “And we wouldn’t change a thing.”
