Last spring, Hayden Howard sensed that something was terribly wrong with her beloved English mastiff, Jackson. While she was at home, Jackson had been playing in the backyard, enjoying the warmth of the day. But when she called him in, she noticed he wasn’t moving like usual. He was sluggish and seemed to be in pain.
At first, Hayden thought he had been bitten by insects, but when she got closer to inspect the wounds, she was horrified to find they were far more severe than she had imagined. The wounds were deep and punctured, unlike any insect bite she had ever seen. Concerned, Hayden rushed Jackson to the veterinarian, hoping for some clarity on what had happened.
At the clinic, the veterinarian immediately set to work on Jackson, shaving off parts of his fur to examine the extent of the damage. What they discovered was truly shocking. Jackson’s body was riddled with bullets—so many that the vet had to carefully remove each one. In total, the vet extracted 27 bullets from Jackson’s body, each causing significant injury and trauma. However, due to the delicate nature of his injuries, the vet was forced to leave 20 bullets in his body to prevent causing further harm.
As if this revelation wasn’t enough, the vet also discovered 20 more gunshot wounds throughout Jackson’s body. This poor dog had been shot more than 70 times. It was a devastating and unimaginable situation. How could anyone hurt such a gentle animal in such a cruel manner?
Upon further investigation, it became clear that Jackson’s suffering was not a random act of violence. Nearby, in a neighboring residence, the authorities uncovered hidden rounds and a weapon, confirming their suspicions. The neighbor, it turned out, had a criminal history, with prior convictions related to drug offenses. It was a chilling discovery that explained why Jackson had been subjected to such a horrific ordeal.
Despite the immense trauma Jackson had endured, he showed incredible resilience. The medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize him and treat his injuries, carefully removing what they could and ensuring he was as comfortable as possible. Jackson’s journey to recovery had only just begun, but the determination to survive that he showed from the moment he was found was nothing short of miraculous.
Thanks to the quick thinking and urgent actions of Hayden, Jackson was given a second chance at life. As the weeks passed, he slowly regained strength. His body began to heal, though the emotional scars of what he had gone through would take time. But with the love and care of his devoted owner, Jackson began to trust again.
Hayden’s cry for help and the actions that followed marked the start of Jackson’s incredible journey of survival. What had begun as an unthinkable tragedy turned into a story of hope, resilience, and the undeniable bond
