Injured Ognyana being transported safely on the animal stretcher donated to Animal Rescue Sofia at ICAWC through SNIP International. Photo credit: Animal Rescue Sofia

Unfortunately, it is not unusual for an animal rescue organisation to find animals abandoned at its door or even thrown over the fence. However, finding a big black dog lying in a pool of blood was a shock for the staff and volunteers of Animal Rescue Sofia (Bulgaria) when they arrived at the shelter one morning.

They took the dog in immediately and she was given emergency treatment to save her life.

Ognyana at the veterinary clinic. Photo credit: Ivanka Patterson for Stardust Pictures

While she was with the vets, the management decided to check the shelter’s security cameras to find out what had happened. It was heart-breaking to watch on the film a car stopping, its door opening, and the dog being thrown out. The car left immediately, and as the poor dog panicked and ran after it, she was hit by another car. Even that didn’t make the dog’s owner turn back for her.

The vets found that her hips and pelvis were broken, and it was not sure she could ever walk again. Thankfully Animal Rescue Sofia saw her will to live and decided to give it a try. She needed a powerful name to help her defy the challenges ahead, so she was named Ognyana – fire and ice – and it worked, as the following morning she was up on her paws and wagging her tail!