17 hours ago
Dog Who Endured Trauma and Tragedy Faces Biggest Test Yet: 'Never Give Up'
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Dog lovers are rallying around a brave rescue Dachshund after her owner shared her heartbreaking story on social media.
In a post shared on Reddit, u/frasnet introduced the online pet community to his senior rescue dog, Slinky, alongside three simple words: "never give up."
It's an apt statement to include, given everything Slinky has been through. Frasnet, a British national living abroad who requested his real name be omitted from this story, told Newsweek he adopted Slinky in 2022.
Their vet estimates Slinky to be around 7 years old when they brought her home. From the moment he laid eyes on her, it was clear Slinky had endured a difficult life.
Even so, Frasnet was shocked and saddened at just how difficult it had been.
"She was surrendered from illegal breeders with severe gum disease and gave birth to a stillborn puppy," he said.
"She had all but 5 teeth removed and suffered nerve damage that affected her tongue and possibly her vocal cords as she doesn't bark normally."
Slinky had to undergo reconstructive surgery to plug a hole in her gums that had left her nasal cavity exposed and uncomfortable.
Frasnet and his wife already had two dogs, Belle and Zeina, but there was something about Slinky, when they first came across her online adoption profile, that made them determined to adopt.
"We both just knew we could help her," he said. "Nobody wanted her. We saw her, listened to her backstory and immediately made arrangements to adopt her."
Slinky the rescue dachshund lying on the grass.
Slinky the rescue dachshund lying on the grass.
Reddit/u/Frasnet
Slinky could so easily have fallen between the cracks and ended up being consigned to a future stuck waiting in the shelter for a family that never comes.
A 2021 study published in the journal Animals saw researchers attempt to narrow the most commonly seen characteristics of a long-term, shelter dog—a dog living in a shelter for 12 months or more. The results concluded that long-term shelter dogs were more often older in age, male, of large size, and considered a "dangerous breed."
Slinky may not have fit all of those criteria, but her age undoubtedly counted against her. Frasnet and his wife preferred to focus their mental energies on making this dog, who had suffered so much, smile again.
"It took about 18 months of nurturing to bring her out of her shell; she looked defeated," Frasnet said. "My wife cuddled her constantly, we started to take her on walks and she really started to get a personality."
It seemed like Slinky was getting the happy ending she so richly deserved. But everything changed.
"In January 2025 she started stumbling and we took her immediately for a checkup," Frasnet said. "Nothing showed on her blood tests or X-ray." It seemed like Slinky was on the mend from whatever illness she had been struck down by, but then a month ago, they noticed she was rapidly losing weight.
Further X-rays, blood tests and two biopsies followed before it was confirmed she had cancer. Frasnet didn't waste any time getting Slinky the treatment she needed.
"We decided she was losing weight so quickly we didn't have time to investigate and booked her in for surgery," he said.
Slinky has had her tumor removed.
Slinky has had her tumor removed.
Reddit/u/Frasnet
Though the operation was essential, Frasnet feared Slinky might not make it. "I made casts of her paws because she was so thin I didn't think she could handle the surgery," he said.
But Slinky had already overcome so much and appeared determined to do that again.
"She would have died in days without it, but [it] looks like she is pulling through," Frasnet said of the surgery. "She really is a fighter and is not ready to give up."
Those words, "never give up," appeared as part of the Reddit post about Slinky's situation. The post has gotten a huge response with over 2,500 upvotes and a slew of comments offering support and encouragement during her cancer journey.
"I'm cheering for you, Slinky. You go girl, stay strong," one user wrote.
"Sending much love and wishes for healing," a second Redditor said.
"May the feisty Doxie spirit carry you through recovery," a third person commented.
Though Slinky is recovering well from the surgery, Frasnet is taking things one day at a time. "The mass has been sent for analysis to see what future treatment plan she needs. A lot is unknown right now with the key factor on her immediate healing, which is happening," he said.
Right now, the outpouring of support has been much appreciated. Frasnet hopes Slinky's story serves as an important reminder about certain kinds of rescue dogs.
"Old, disabled, ill-health animals need love too, especially when humans did this to her, breeding the next insta-pup, the mums just discarded," he said. "It really breaks our hearts how humans can be so horrible to animals that show such love."
