Kimber didn’t come from a shelter. She didn’t come from an owner surrender. She wasn’t born in the rescue. She was dumped—abandoned on a rural property with other dogs and left to survive however she could.

She was what some might have called “feral,” but we just call her afraid. She doesn’t have an unkind bone in her body, despite the world not treating her kindly. She is deeply unsure about people, about touch, and about this strange new reality of hers where kindness exists.

Kimber doesn’t yet understand affection. She doesn’t know what toys are, or why her humans smile at her. She still flinches and chooses flight (or freeze) when you go too quickly. But every day, she watches. Every day, she learns. She’s trying.

Sadly her body, just like her spirit, has been quietly suffering. She’s heartworm and Ehrlichia (a tick-borne disease) positive. Without treatment, her heart will fail before she ever learns what it means to feel truly safe. Without treatment, she could develop long-term complications from Ehrlichia. Without treatment, she’ll never get the life she so truly deserves. But with treatment, she’ll have no long-term issues and can finally start to thrive instead of just survive.

Black dogs like Kimber get overlooked all the time. Fearful dogs, even more so. But she deserves to be seen. She deserves a life where her body isn’t under attack— from parasites or from a world that gave up on her. Please help us show Kimber that she matters, that the world is good, and that the best is yet to come.