“Boksu’s Journey: From Swollen Sorrow to Loving Home”
Boksu was not your typical stray dog. As he roamed the streets of his small town, his most striking feature was his abnormally large belly, swollen to the point where it looked as if it could burst. At first glance, one might assume that this male dog was pregnant, but the reality was far more concerning. Neighbors speculated that his belly was filled with fluid—a heavy burden he had carried for six long months.
Boksu’s situation was dire. His swollen abdomen made it difficult for him to find comfort or rest; he could only nap sitting up. Despite his condition, he remained friendly and eager for attention. A kind neighbor took notice of him and began providing food and water, ensuring he could survive another day on the streets. But every time she prepared to leave for work, Boksu would attempt to follow her, not understanding that his size and condition made it dangerous for him to do so. His heart-wrenching attempts to keep up tugged at the woman’s heartstrings, knowing he could not join her.
As days turned into weeks, the town began to buzz with concern for Boksu. He had shown up one day, seemingly lost and in search of companionship. The neighbor who cared for him wondered about his past. Had he been abandoned? Did he have a guardian? There were no clear answers, only the distress of an innocent dog left to navigate a harsh world.
The community was facing changes of its own; redevelopment was looming, and the residents would soon have to leave their homes. The thought of what would happen to Boksu when the neighborhood changed weighed heavily on the minds of those who cared for him. It was clear that before the redevelopment began, action needed to be taken to rescue him.
The rescuers planned to capture Boksu, knowing that his condition was serious and that he might react unpredictably out of fear. When the time came, they offered him snacks to coax him closer. Boksu, with his gentle nature, walked right up to them, making the rescue smooth and safe. But the team quickly realized the gravity of his situation when they weighed him—38.3 kg. For a dog of his size, 20 kg was the appropriate weight, meaning he was carrying nearly twice his healthy weight.
At the vet’s office, the true extent of his condition was revealed. The vet explained that Boksu’s belly was filled with fluid, with his internal organs floating dangerously. The initial procedure to drain the fluid turned into a three-hour surgery. To everyone’s astonishment, the team extracted 18 kg of fluid from his belly—a staggering amount that left them stunned.
Boksu’s condition was complicated further by the discovery of heartworms and potential congenital heart disease. However, the vet reassured them that with the right treatment, Boksu had a chance to recover. As the days passed, Boksu’s belly shrank, revealing the dog beneath the suffering exterior. The neighbor who had cared for him decided it would be best for him to come home with her, knowing that he would receive the love and attention he needed. Now, Boksu had a family. He was no longer just a stray dog with a swollen belly; he was a cherished member of a loving home. As he began his next chapter, those who had rescued him cheered him on, hopeful for the bright future ahead of him. The journey from despair to belonging was a testament to the power of compassion and community. Boksu’s story was one of resilience and recovery, proving that every dog deserves a second chance at life and love.