For days, a Chow Chow wandered along a lonely stretch of highway outside Las Vegas, slipping between pavement and desert, unsure whether humans meant help or harm. He was alone, exposed, and surviving moment to moment—terrified and in pain.
The very first person notified was Keywe with Search Squad of Pahrump, who immediately went out to assess the situation and set the trap that would ultimately save his life. From there, the rescue became a shared effort. Ashley responded each time a sighting came in, coordinating closely with Keywe as they adjusted and moved the trap based on his movements, doing everything possible to keep him safe while allowing him the space to choose help on his own terms.
Then, late one quiet desert night, he finally stepped into the trap. His life changed in that moment.
Ashley was the first person on scene after he was secured. Shortly after, Keywe arrived, and together they carefully loaded him into Ashley’s SUV. Ashley then transported him directly to Adriana, ensuring he moved swiftly from danger to safety.
Another angel stepped in immediately. Adriana opened her home and her heart, offering him calm, warmth, and refuge after days and nights alone. Trust did not come easily. At first, he stayed inside the trap, watching, waiting. Then, he stepped out for her. He allowed her to feed him by hand—inch by inch learning that kindness could be real. Even as Adriana worked to earn his trust, there were moments when he would recoil in pain, and she would have to slow down and begin again.
The injuries told a troubling story. Road rash on his face and legs suggested he had either fallen from the back of a truck or been pushed from a moving vehicle. Beneath his severely matted coat, we feared there might be more damage hidden. Despite being clearly uncomfortable and hurting, this big bear tried so hard to be sweet and affectionate, leaning into connection even when it hurt.
When Wilson came to our clinic, the Hearts Alive team got to work. He was sedated so we could fully assess his condition and give him the care he needed, including bloodwork, urinalysis, full-body X-rays, and careful removal of as much of his deeply tangled coat as possible. Because of his size and the severity of the matting, grooming will be an incremental process—but clearing his back legs and hindquarters alone brought him noticeable relief.
Our fears were well founded. Wilson has suffered a severe blunt force trauma injury. His left back leg is completely out of socket. His X-rays have been sent to our orthopedic surgeon, and scheduling his procedure as soon as possible is now our top priority. While final confirmation will come during surgery, it is likely Wilson will require a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO), followed by rehabilitation and a recovery period.
Wilson has already been surrounded by angels—Keywe, who was first to respond and set the trap; Ashley, who never gave up and ensured his safe transport; Adriana, who gave him refuge; and a medical team committed to his healing. He was named with heart and meaning, in memory of someone deeply loved, and in honor of resilience.
Now, this gentle giant needs more angels to help carry him through what comes next. Surgery, rehabilitation, pain management, and recovery will take time and significant resources—but Wilson is worth every step. We are so proud of this sweet, brave boy, and with your help, we can make sure his story continues toward healing, comfort, and a future where he no longer has to be afraid.
