One small object. One life-threatening emergency.

A pacifier nearly cost Solana her life. 💔

When Solana arrived in rescue from a local impound last week, she seemed like a fairly typical new arrival, sweet, affectionate, and ready for a fresh start. But it quickly became clear that her story carried much more history than we first knew.

Evidence suggests Solana was likely used for breeding, and she bears scars on her legs consistent with prolonged restraint or binding. She also has significant structural abnormalities commonly seen in extreme bully breeding. Yet through everything she has endured, Solana remains incredibly loving, trusting, and affectionate. Shelter staff even nicknamed her the “Incredible Melting Dog” because she immediately flops over for belly rubs whenever she meets someone new.

Just days after entering rescue, everything changed. Solana stopped eating, began vomiting, and quickly became lethargic. She was rushed for emergency care, where diagnostics revealed a green plastic pacifier lodged in her intestinal tract. Because the foster home does not have babies, it’s believed this foreign object was already inside her system before she arrived in rescue.

During surgery, veterinarians found even more concerning signs. Solana’s intestines showed inflammation and adhesions consistent with repeated foreign body ingestion, suggesting this may not be an isolated incident. She is likely dealing with a condition known as pica, where dogs compulsively eat non-food items. It is a dangerous and often expensive condition that can lead to repeated life-threatening obstructions.

We are incredibly relieved to share that Solana made it through surgery and is now recovering. But her medical journey is far from over. Her current veterinary bill has already reached $3,900, and if she is unable to eat and pass stool on her own today, she may require an additional night of hospitalization, adding approximately $800 more to her care.

This is the part of rescue that most people never see: the sudden, unexpected emergencies that can arise within hours and completely change the course of a dog’s life. A dog can appear stable one moment and be fighting for survival the next.

While Solana’s story is heartbreaking, it is also a reminder of how important prevention and awareness can be. Foreign body ingestion is one of the most common emergency surgeries performed in veterinary medicine, and it can happen in any home. Small objects, damaged toys, and everyday household items can quickly become life-threatening hazards.

We will also be very intentional about Solana’s future placement. Dogs with a history of foreign body ingestion often require careful management, structured environments, and close monitoring to keep them safe long-term.

After everything she has already survived, we are committed to ensuring her future is safer, calmer, and far more secure than her past.

If you are able to help support Solana’s lifesaving surgery and recovery, we would be deeply grateful. Every donation directly helps cover her care and allows us to continue saying yes when animals like her need urgent help.