Dog Whose Leg 'Literally Fell Off' Due to Untreated Injury Is Ready for a 'Joyful' Life on 3 Paws (Exclusive)

Mia is preparing for the next chapter.

The rescue dog is currently under the care of Danny & Ron's Rescue, a pet rescue started by Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The rescue is based out of their home in Camden, South Carolina.

"Danny Robertshaw and I were heartbroken by the overwhelming number of pets displaced by the storm. Determined to help, we began taking in dogs directly from shelters impacted by the disaster. Since then, our mission has grown tremendously—we’ve rescued over 14,500 dogs, all while operating out of our home, where we currently share our lives with more than 140 rescue dogs," Ron Danta tells PEOPLE.

Mia became one of the 140 dogs living with Danta and Robertshaw through a whirlwind of unfortunate circumstances.

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In December 2024, Mia's former owner made the difficult decision to surrender the pup to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control in Charlotte, North Carolina, because they could no longer care for the dog. Sometime before Mia's arrival, she suffered an injury that worsened over time.

"We learned that Mia's leg had been fractured several months earlier, but her owner couldn't afford veterinary care. Instead, they tried to wrap the injury at home. Without proper treatment, the leg deteriorated, and by the time Mia reached the shelter, it was so infected and in such poor condition that the bottom half of her leg literally fell off when the bandages were removed," Danta explains.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control took Mia in, but the open-admission city shelter didn't have the resources to treat Mia and her serious injury.

Danta says, "The shelter reached out to Danny & Ron's Rescue because they were not equipped to handle the emergency surgery that Mia required. When we learned about her situation, we knew we had to step in to give her the surgery she desperately needed. We rushed from our rescue in Camden, S.C. to Charlotte, N.C. to pick up Mia and bring her immediately to our veterinarian at CVETS in Columbia, S.C."

After spending an undetermined amount of time living with her untreated injury, Mia didn't have to wait an extra second to get the help she needed with Danny & Ron's Rescue.

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"Once Mia arrived, we immediately had her evaluated by our veterinarian. The remaining part of her injured leg was removed surgically on December 19 to ensure her comfort and prevent further complications. She had a complete amputation of her left forequarter. Her recovery has been amazing," Danta shares.

In the weeks since her surgery, Mia has adapted quickly "to life as a three-legged pup, and emotionally, she's blossoming. She's full of love and enjoys every bit of attention she gets," Danta adds.

Soon, Mia will be ready for a lifetime of loving attention in a forever home. The canine is waiting for her surgical site to heal fully before undergoing her spay surgery. After that, adoption is the next step.

"Once she's healthy and cleared by our veterinarian, she'll be ready to find her forever home," Danta shares, adding, "Mia is a purebred Miniature Poodle, and she's just 14 months old — a baby with her whole life ahead of her."

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For now, Mia is enchanting Danta and Robertshaw with her resilience, trust, and "joyful spirit" — all qualities her future family will surely adore.

While Mia is not yet available for adoption, animal lovers can still help her and other dogs like her.

"The best way to help is through donations, which support dogs like Mia who require extensive medical care. Spreading the word about our mission and adopting rescue dogs are also incredible ways to make a difference. Every contribution, big or small, helps us save more lives," Danta says.

The Danny & Ron's Rescue cofounder adds that he hopes Mia's story inspires compassion in others, both pets and humans.

"Her story reminds us of the importance of compassion, not only for animals in need but for people who may lack resources. Every dog deserves a chance to be loved and cared for, and together, we can make that happen."

To learn more about and support the life-saving work of Danny and Ron's Rescue, visit the organization's website.

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