Contact: rolda@rolda.org | +1 (410) 353-5505 | whatsapp non-US support +44 (0)161 531 8801
Find us on

Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Sadly, it is not uncommon for animals to face human cruelty and brutality. It is unimaginable how heartless people can be. ROLDA has helped so many animals with horrible pasts. We have helped cats thrown from windows and dogs chained outside in the cold, hungry for days on end. We have helped abused animals kicked or hit until they are scared of everyone.

But something especially heartbreaking is when a stray is hit by a car and just left for dead. It’s as if some people have absolutely no compassion at all. This is Knopas’ story.

Knopa, a small caramel-coloured stray dog, was popular in her hometown. Caring locals often threw her scraps as they passed, and several became fond of her. This was the only human kindness Knopa received as a stray dog living alone on the streets.

One of these locals came looking for our help when Knopa was crippled by human cruelty. Knopa had been found on the side of the road. She was in an awful state and seemed unable to even stand on her hind legs.

Knopa had been hit by a car. They did not stop to help, as any semi-decent person would. The driver sped off, abandoning the tiny dog they had just hit with a vehicle hundreds of times her size. How could anyone be so heartless?

We immediately took Knopa into our care when we heard about the situation. We rushed her to a vet for examination, but they were unable to determine why Knopa could no longer walk. Her legs appeared fine, with no fractures or obvious problems. Finally, after an MRI, we discovered the true cause.

A large hernia has taken over several of Knopas’s vertebrae. She will need immediate surgery to save her life. The operation will be very costly, but with the look in Knopas’s eyes, we know we cannot let her down. We are a no-kill shelter for good reason. Every life matters. We will find a way.

The surgery is scheduled imminently, and hopefully, everything will go well. No dog should have to live like Knopa, alone on the streets of Ukraine fending for themselves.

Knopa has been betrayed before, but we will not let it happen again. She will live the rest of her life warm and safe, but most importantly, she will be surrounded by love.

Do you want to hear more news about our stories?

Related content

How do you train an older dog not to bite?
December 4, 2024

How do you train an older dog not to bite?

As much as we love our dogs and as much as we understand their instincts, biting remains objectively wrong. This is primarily because of its obvious harmful effects and the legal implications for the owners of dogs that bite. Sometimes, it might depend on the context in which the bite occurred and the severity or ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Read more 6 minutes read
How do I get my puppy to stop crying?
December 4, 2024

How do I get my puppy to stop crying?

Getting a puppy can be the most exciting moment of anyone’s life. Even as children, we dream of the unbreakable bond we will have with our dog, a bond created since puppyhood. The training part, however, hits like a ton of bricks! As aware as you might think you are of all the things you ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Read more 9 minutes read
Understanding Canine Behavior: What Your Dog's Actions Reveal
December 4, 2024

Understanding Canine Behavior: What Your Dog’s Actions Reveal

Here is something that sounds difficult to do before you have a dog: understanding them and being able to have a “conversation.” You might think that only professional trainers and seasoned dog owners will know the significance behind every sniff and growl. Still, the experience will soon teach you that any dog owner with a ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Read more 8 minutes read
Dana’s Journey to Ukraine, October 2024
November 28, 2024

Dana’s Journey to Ukraine, October 2024

Compassionate Impact Report: capturing the sights, sounds, and stories of resilience. With a heart full of dedication and compassion, Dana Costin, CEO of ROLDA, embarked on a five-day mission to Ukraine in October 2024 travelling to the Kharkiv region, where she provided crucial support for animal rescue operations near the front lines. With a van ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Read more 4 minutes read
Why Families with Children Should adopt a Shelter Dog
October 29, 2024

Why Families with Children Should adopt a Shelter Dog

Families, especially those with children, can find immense satisfaction and happiness by deciding to adopt a dog from a shelter. By bringing home a shelter dog, families not only provide a loving home but also give children a special chance to learn compassion, responsibility, and more. Families with children can experience many benefits by adopting ... Healing a broken spirit: Knopa’s path to recovery and safety

Read more 4 minutes read