When Barilla arrived at a rescue center in Granada, Spain, she was barely clinging to life.
Starvation had left her severely malnourished, weighing only 7.2 kg, with her muscles too weak to support her own body.
Her organs were barely functioning, and she couldn’t stand or walk on her own. Covered in scratches from crawling on the ground, she was in critical condition, and rescuers feared she wouldn’t survive the night.
Determined to give her a fighting chance, the rescue team provided continuous hydration for six hours before carefully introducing small amounts of nutrition.
To help her regain strength, they used a support device to aid muscle development. After hours of care, Barilla managed to lift herself up for a sip of water, but she still had a long road to recovery.
A week later, she had gained 4 kg but was still too weak to walk properly. It took another six weeks before she could eat normally, but once she did, she showed remarkable progress.
Soon, she was running and playing like a healthy dog, showing unwavering determination and gratitude toward her caregivers.
Eduardo Rodriguez, the 37-year-old owner of the shelter, formed an instant bond with Barilla and decided to adopt her. Now, she lives happily with him, his wife, their 14-year-old daughter, and five other dogs in their home on the outskirts of Granada. “Her will to survive was incredible, and I felt a connection with her the first time I saw her,” Rodriguez shared.
Barilla’s transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. By the fourth day of her rescue, she was eating five to six meals a day and gaining about a kilogram daily. Today, she weighs 20.8 kg and has made a full recovery.
Though she was only ten months old when she was found, her resilience has given her a new chance at life. Authorities continue investigating who was responsible for her condition, but for Barilla, the past is behind her—she now has a loving home and a future filled with happiness.
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