Zeus was brought to our team in Ukraine during out last mission. This sweet old boy had a terrible abscess on his face which was treated surgically.
Initially very shy, likely having been abandoned and lived fending for himself for a long time, he slowly started to trust our team and has grown from a nervous aggressive reactive dog to a trusting boy who can be easily handled and cared for.
When Zeus first arrived at our team’s shelter in Ukraine, he was a shadow of the proud dog he must have once been. We met him during our last mission, wandering near the edge of a small village, barely able to lift his head. His fur was dirty and matted, his legs trembled as he walked, and the most heartbreaking thing of all was the large, swollen abscess on the side of his face. The infection had caused his eye to swell shut, and he winced in pain with every step.
Our team, dedicated to helping animals in need, had seen many difficult cases—but Zeus still left a lump in all our throats. There was something noble in his gaze, despite the pain, despite the years. He had clearly known love at some point in his life, and yet he had likely been alone for quite a while. Abandoned? Lost? No one could say for sure. What we knew was simple: Zeus needed help, and fast.
We gently approached him, offering some soft food and a quiet voice. To our surprise, despite his discomfort, he wagged his tail—a slow, tired wag, but a wag nonetheless. It was as if he knew help had finally come.
We brought Zeus back to our mobile clinic, where our veterinary team began the first round of assessments. The abscess on his face was large and painful, likely caused by a bite wound or an untreated dental issue. It had become infected, and the swelling was affecting his ability to eat and see properly. He also had arthritis in his back legs, and his teeth were in poor shape. But Zeus was patient and gentle throughout it all, even as we shaved around the infected area and flushed the wound. He barely flinched, trusting us completely.
The next day, Zeus underwent surgery to remove the abscess and clean out the infection. Our vets worked carefully, doing everything they could to preserve the healthy tissue around the area. When he woke up, groggy and confused, we were ready with warm blankets and soft words. He looked up at us, still groggy, but his eyes were clearer already. That was the beginning of his healing journey.
And what a journey it has been.
Within just a few days, the swelling in Zeus’s face began to go down. The wound site, though still tender, looked healthier. His eye opened again, revealing a deep brown gaze filled with calm and quiet strength. We began feeding him a soft diet, and his appetite returned with enthusiasm. He ate every bite, licking the bowl clean and looking up as if to ask for seconds.
But the physical healing wasn’t the only remarkable part.
Zeus began to change in other ways too. Once he realized he was safe, his personality started to shine. He wagged his tail more often, especially when he saw familiar faces. He loved nothing more than curling up on a blanket near the heater, sighing in contentment as he drifted off to sleep. He followed us around the clinic slowly, leaning his weight against our legs for a little support—and a lot of affection.
Every day brought new progress. The wound healed quickly, thanks to antibiotics, daily cleanings, and plenty of rest. The fur around the scar started to grow back. The dullness in his coat began to fade, replaced by a soft shine that spoke of nutrition and care. He still limped slightly from his arthritis, but we managed that with medication and gentle movement. And perhaps most beautifully, his spirit lifted.
Volunteers began spending more time with him, brushing his fur, reading to him, and taking him on slow walks around the yard. He became a favorite among the team—not just because of his gentle demeanor, but because his transformation was so inspiring.
“Look how quickly he is healing!” one of our vets said one morning, gently scratching behind his ears. “It’s like he knows he’s being given a second chance.”
And it was true. Zeus wasn’t just recovering—he was thriving.
We started documenting his progress on our social media to share with our supporters and followers around the world. The response was overwhelming. People were touched by Zeus’s resilience, and many asked about adopting him. It wasn’t long before one special family, a retired couple who had followed his story from the beginning, reached out from Germany. They had experience caring for older dogs, and they fell in love with Zeus’s calm, wise eyes.
After thorough background checks and veterinary clearances, we began preparing Zeus for his new forever home. We made sure he had all his vaccinations, his paperwork, and a cozy crate for the journey. On the day of his departure, there were tears—not just from the team, but from Zeus, too. He nuzzled each of us as if to say goodbye, then calmly stepped into the transport van, ready for the next chapter.
Now, weeks later, we receive regular updates from his new family. Zeus sleeps on a soft bed by the window, enjoys short strolls in the garden, and loves gentle brushing sessions. He still has a few scars—physical and emotional—but his eyes shine brighter than ever. He has found peace, comfort, and above all, love.
It’s hard to believe this is the same dog we found limping through the village, his face swollen and his body frail. But that’s the power of care, patience, and compassion. Healing doesn’t always happen overnight, but with the right support, it does happen—and sometimes, faster than anyone imagined.
Zeus is a testament to the strength of animals and the importance of never giving up, even when the situation seems bleak. He reminded all of us that even in the darkest moments, hope can bloom—and healing can begin.
And every time we look at the photos of Zeus now, snuggled beside a fireplace with his eyes half-closed in peace, we smile and say the words that started it all:
“Look how quickly he is healing.”
