May 2020 - Hazel entered our One Lucky Pup program after being surrendered to NYC ACC by her owner, who had bred her multiple times. Estimated to be 8–9 years old, was blind due to juvenile cataracts, emaciated, and suffering from severe, long-term medical neglect.

At intake, Hazel was diagnosed with untreated diabetes, a severe urinary tract infection, anemia, a non-healing leg wound, and a grade III heart murmur. Within days of rescue, Hazel’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Diagnostics revealed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication of prolonged untreated diabetes. She was rushed to ICU at AMC, where an internal medicine team stabilized her.

Following discharge, Hazel began long-term diabetes management with daily insulin and glucose monitoring. She gained weight, her infections resolved, and her energy returned. Though nearly blind, Hazel adapted quickly, learning her environment and settling into foster care with ease.

Two months into recovery, Hazel developed acute pyometra, requiring emergency surgery. During her continued care, advanced ophthalmologic testing revealed her retinal function was intact. She passed her ERG exam and underwent successful bilateral cataract surgery with artificial lens implantation.

In the weeks that followed, Hazel’s vision returned — along with newfound confidence, curiosity, and joy.

A family in Massachusetts who had been following Hazel’s journey ultimately adopted her into their home, where she bonded with her new canine sibling. Today, Hazel is fully sighted, medically stable, and living the life she always deserved.