We are delighted to share a truly heart-warming update with a very happy ending.

Around four weeks ago, we shared a ‘Dog Found’ post on our social media pages after this lovely lady was brought to us by a kind member of the public. She had been found alone on a quiet country lane, looking very sad and clearly injured. As she struggled towards help, hopping on three legs, it quickly became apparent that she was in pain and desperately needed assistance.

The finder searched the surrounding area for an owner but, with no one in sight and concerned for the dog’s welfare, she brought her straight to our Shepton Practice to be examined by a vet and scanned for a microchip. Sadly, she was not microchipped, meaning an owner could not be identified immediately. We therefore shared a post online in the hope that someone might be searching for her.

On initial examination, it was clear that her front left leg had sustained significant damage, with severe swelling and an obvious reluctance to bear weight. As well as her injury, she was also very thin. She was given pain relief to make her more comfortable and was then sedated so that X-rays could be taken. The images confirmed our concerns – her leg was broken. With still no owner coming forward and time being critical, it was vital that we acted quickly to give her the best chance of saving her leg.

Within just a few hours, this female lurcher-type dog, who had arrived in such a sorry state, had already made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Despite her pain and apparent neglect, her gentle nature, wagging tail and trusting manner showed just how special she truly is. After some discussion, the nursing team named her Honey – a name that reflected her sweet temperament.

Vet Cara played a very important role in Honey’s journey, working tirelessly to secure charitable support to help fund her surgery and rehabilitation. We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful charity Forever Hounds, who kindly agreed to fund Honey’s fracture repair and support planning for her future should she need to be rehomed.

At Shepton and Wells Vets, we are fortunate to have our skilled Veterinary Surgeon and Director, Martin, who carries out orthopaedic procedures including fracture repairs. After reviewing the X-rays, Martin confirmed that Honey’s leg could be surgically repaired. She was prepped for surgery on the Monday morning, and after several hours of specialist work, a plate and multiple screws were successfully fitted to stabilise the fracture. Her leg was carefully dressed and bandaged, and strict crate rest was essential to allow proper healing.

Honey remained in our care and was fostered at the practice, with regular progress checks by Martin. Throughout her stay, our nursing team went above and beyond, providing exceptional care and rehabilitation – truly living our ethos of ‘Caring for every pet as if they were our own’. Honey enjoyed regular visits from staff, even on their days off, along with thoughtful gifts such as jumpers, toys and enrichment treats. She was also lucky enough to spend a weekend fostered at one of our farm vets’ homes, where she enjoyed a change of scenery, companionship with other dogs and plenty of cosy cuddles in front of the fire.

When a stray dog is found, they are legally held for seven days for an owner to come forward. After this period, if no owner is identified, the rehoming process can begin. In Somerset, this would usually involve the dog warden and St Giles Animal Rescue. However, due to Honey’s injury and recovery, the team felt it was in her best interests to remain with us so she could be closely monitored and avoid unnecessary travel.

Two weeks later, with still no owner coming forward, the team began to consider rehoming options once Honey was ready for discharge. Without even advertising her for adoption, we were inundated with enquiries from members of the public who had seen her original ‘Found’ post, as well as interest from within our own team.

One option in particular stood out to us. During Honey’s stay, we had a veterinary student on placement with us who had followed her progress closely. The student knew that her sister had been patiently waiting to rehome a dog of this breed – and it quickly became clear that Honey was the perfect match.

Honey has now moved to the Cotswolds with her new loving family, and we are thrilled to report that she is doing wonderfully. Her leg is healing well, and she is thoroughly enjoying life. Her new owners have renamed her Dobby, which we think is a very fitting name for her gorgeous elf-like ears.

Although we may never know how Honey fractured her leg or how she came to be alone on that country lane, we are incredibly grateful to the kind member of the public who stopped to help her that day. Thanks to their compassion – and the dedication of everyone involved – Honey’s journey has led her to a future filled with love, care and happiness, exactly as she deserves.