Petunia, a sweet and talkative 2.5-year-old bulldog, is lucky to be alive. During one of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls outreach visits to a San Diego County Indian reservation, a concerned resident flagged down the team about a dog in dire condition.
What rescuers found shocked them—a deep, oozing neck wound, likely caused by a surgical cone left on for an unimaginable amount of time. The gauze tie had become embedded so deeply that infection and maggots had taken hold.
“Petunia’s cut was deep, all the way through multiple layers of skin down to raw areas—we could see the tendons of her neck,” said Dr. Olivia Garvey in a Facebook post. “It was through her skin all the way around, but the deepest and most entrenched parts were the underside of her neck.”
A Wound That Spoke Volumes About Long-Term Neglect
Petunia’s owners initially had her in a cone following a medical procedure—but instead of monitoring her healing, they failed to remove the bandaging. Over time, the injury became so severe it nearly severed her neck.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” Dr. Garvey said. “Medical staff would have told them when to remove the gauze and cone. [The owners] chose not to follow instructions and waited way too long to seek medical help.”
Once Petunia was surrendered, she was immediately taken into emergency surgery.
“She was severely infected. There was dirt, infection, and even maggots in the wound,” Garvey said. “It was one of the worst cases I’ve ever seen.”
The surgery lasted several hours. Her torn skin was stapled back together, and she was sedated to prevent her from accidentally reopening the wounds during recovery.
Recovering, Resilient—and Ready for Her New Life
After weeks of medical care, Petunia is finally on the mend—and her sweet personality is beginning to shine again.
“She is recovering beautifully,” the shelter posted on Facebook. “Petunia is talkative and loves attention. She’s already charming everyone she meets.”
The bulldog’s recovery was made possible by Pets Without Walls, an initiative that brings free and low-cost care to pets in underserved areas.
“These reservations and their thousands of families are not eligible for San Diego County or city resources,” said Renee Resko, VP of Development.
“They struggle with access to spay and neuter services, vaccinations, and they have no place to report animal abuse when they witness it.”
Launched in partnership with tribal leaders in 2023, Pets Without Walls has become a critical bridge for pet care where no formal support exists. Walk-up clinics, mobile surgeries, and on-the-ground outreach have saved hundreds of animals who would otherwise go without treatment.
A Second Chance for a Sweet Soul
Petunia’s story is both tragic and hopeful. For months, she lived with a wound so severe it nearly decapitated her. She endured quiet suffering, unable to escape or speak for herself—until someone finally did.
It took one compassionate resident to raise the alarm, and a dedicated rescue team to follow through. Together, they rewrote Petunia’s story.
“This sweet girl is proof that one voice and one moment of kindness can save a life,” the shelter wrote. “We’re so proud of her resilience and can’t wait to find her the loving home she deserves.”
Today, Petunia is thriving. Her wounds are healing, her spirit is brightening, and her tail wags again. She’s no longer just surviving—she’s learning to love and trust, one cuddle at a time.
Petunia will soon be available for adoption through the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Those hoping to open their hearts to her can visit animalcenter.org. Because every animal deserves the chance to feel safe, loved, and finally home.
