Emaciated Dog Found Abandoned in a Cage Inside an Empty Sweltering House Gets a New Start 

Gracie Girl is finally getting the love and care she’s always deserved.

According to Alaqua Animal Refuge in Walton County, Florida, the dog was taken in after the local sheriff’s department found her trapped inside a sweltering, empty house on a 100-degree day in June. She had been abandoned in a powerless home, confined to a dirty crate without food or water.

“We got a call from the Sheriff’s Department asking if we could take in a dog they had just removed from a cruelty case. She had been locked in a crate inside a home, abandoned without food or water for what appeared to be several weeks. They told me she was in bad shape, unable to stand on her own, and asked if we could help. Of course, we said yes,” Laurie Hood, founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, told PEOPLE.

When Gracie arrived at the shelter, her condition was dire.

“Gracie was skeletal. Her bones were jutting out, and her eyes were sunken. She had to be lifted from the transport vehicle because she couldn’t stand or walk on her own. Her muscles had wasted away from prolonged starvation and confinement in one position. She weighed less than 30 pounds, shockingly underweight for her size,” Hood explained.

Despite the neglect, Gracie still greeted rescuers with a wagging tail and an “incredibly sweet” personality. “What struck us most was that she was trying to give kisses even in that condition. I can’t help but think she knew she had been rescued,” Hood said.

Once at Alaqua, Gracie began a careful recovery process, slowly gaining weight under close medical supervision. “With cases of extreme starvation, refeeding must be done slowly to avoid shocking the body. Our medical team created a feeding plan to introduce calories and nutrients gradually, and we administered fluids to combat dehydration. She needed physical therapy to start moving again,” Hood shared. She also received something just as important: safety, kindness, and time.

While her physical healing took time, Gracie’s spirit rebounded quickly. “Her resilience was humbling. She never gave up and never stopped trusting people, even when she had every reason to,” Hood said.

After leaving Alaqua, Gracie was co-fostered by several employees who spoiled her with nature walks, cuddly cat companions, lazy TV days, and plenty of cheese.

On August 1, Gracie found her forever home. “It was an instant connection. The adopters have no kids, so she’s their baby. One owner works from home, so Gracie will get a lot of attention and will be spoiled,” Hood said.

Hood hopes Gracie’s story inspires others to support organizations that rescue and rehabilitate animals. “We can learn a lot from Gracie on how to be resilient and keep moving forward despite our past challenges. Looking at her now, you would never guess the trauma she has been through with her happy bark and wagging tail,” she added.