Braveheart Makes Remarkable Recovery | News

Back in March, when doctors and technicians at University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Care first met Braveheart, he was an unknown, previously unloved and basically forgotten dog.

He was found in a dumpster in Kentucky, where he was left to die. Braveheart was severely malnourished, full of worms and infested with parasites. His hair was spotty at best and open sores covered much of his skin.

Fast forward to today and Braveheart is a well-known and loved dog.

During his stay at UW Veterinary Care, one of his fans created a Facebook page and he acquired more than 11,000 friends. Both television and newspaper media covered his story that reached out to a caring audience. More than 500 people sent cards, gifts and donations to help Braveheart's struggle to survive.

But the best part of this story is Braveheart's miraculous recovery.

"I am amazed each time I see him," said Marti Houge, of One Starfish Rehoming Connections, the Columbus, Wis.-based rescue organization that saved Braveheart. "He could walk into the vet school today and no one would recognize him. He looks like a totally different dog. He has a proud way of holding himself. When we first met him, he looked really small, because he held himself so tight and was cowering. He doubled his weight and doubled his beauty."

Braveheart's remarkable recovery will be on display on UW-Madison Day at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis on Wednesday, Aug. 10. In addition, plans call for him to lead the daily parade around the fairgrounds that day.