“While driving, I spotted a dog lying still! I had a gut feeling something was wrong, so I turned back,” recalled Fahrudin Caki Bravo. “When I returned, the dog was just lying in a puddle at the edge of the road, drenched in rainwater.”
The dog appeared to have given up, as if he was saying, “I can’t go on anymore.” Fahrudin could see the pain in his eyes. He approached carefully and spoke to him, “Can we make a deal? Don’t give up yet! I’m here to help. You don’t bite me out of pain, and I’ll get you out of this mess, okay?”
With compassion in his heart, Fahrudin rushed the dog to a veterinarian. The immediate concern was internal injuries, especially potential bleeding. X-rays would reveal the extent of the damage.
The dog, now named Maddox, was in dire condition. The vets discussed the possibility of spinal surgery. Despite the odds being slim, the specialists felt it was worth trying. “Maddox is heading into the most crucial battle of his life,” Fahrudin said. “A surgeon is ready to give him a chance with this operation.”
Surprisingly, Maddox remained calm and composed throughout, as if he understood what was happening. The surgeon, after reviewing his condition, gave a grim prognosis. “There’s a 10% chance he’ll recover enough to walk again,” he said, but Fahrudin insisted on trying.
Maddox underwent spinal surgery and, after waking up, slept peacefully. Over the next few days, the vets would test whether he could feel deep pain—an indicator of recovery. If he could respond to pinching, there was hope he might regain some mobility. However, the damage to his spinal cord was severe, and the likelihood of him walking again remained very low.
Six days after surgery, the outlook was bleak. Maddox would likely spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. But then, against all odds, a small miracle occurred. After 16 days, Maddox managed to stand briefly on his own feet. Although he quickly tired and returned to his bed, this was a remarkable sign of hope.
“We mustn’t rely on miracles,” Fahrudin said, “but sometimes, they happen. Maddox is a fighter, and he believes he’ll walk again.”
