His rescuers weren’t sure he’d make it, but now …
When Monarch was brought into Austin Pets Alive!’s Parvo ICU the day before Thanksgiving, the staff feared the worst. At only 6 months old, the young pup was fighting for his life.
He had tested positive for canine parvovirus, an aggressive illness that can quickly become fatal, and his symptoms were already severe.
“He was exhausted and barely responsive when I first met him,” said Mindy, a volunteer at APA!’s Parvo ICU. “He kept vomiting, but he still crawled over and rested his head in my lap. He tried to climb fully into my lap, but he was just too big!”
Even with such a grim outlook, the team promised to give Monarch every possible chance.
Despite barely being able to stand, Monarch leaned into the comfort of the volunteer’s lap, gently showing affection with whatever strength he had left. That small spark of love told the team he wasn’t ready to give up.
Over the following days, Monarch received round-the-clock medical care. Just days earlier, he’d been on the brink — yet within a week, he began to bounce back in a way no one could’ve predicted.
The transformation didn’t stop there. One day, Monarch proved just how strong he’d become by escaping his kennel and demonstrating an impressive talent for opening doors.
“This clever pup, who had arrived barely clinging to life, decided he was done being a patient and attempted to check himself out,” said Luis Sanchez, APA!’s director of public relations and communications. “He clearly felt ready.”
After giving Monarch another parvo test, the staff celebrated when it came back negative. He was officially cleared to leave the ICU and move into the adoption program — and it didn’t take long for someone to fall in love.
Within 24 hours, Monarch had a new home. His adopter, Nathan, said he chose Monarch because “He was the coolest … and he just felt like mine.”
Monarch’s journey — from critically ill to happy and healthy — was only possible because of the dedicated team who never stopped believing in him.