Starfish, the cutest German shepherd we’ve ever seen, was found in a beer box and immediately rushed over to a shelter. Alaina, the woman who found Starfish, when she held her, she knew something different and she needed to be seen stat.

Starfish was the happiest of puppies but she was unable to stand. According to Steven, the Shelter Operations Manager, animal control thought she had organ failure and there was little to no hope for Starfish.

They were prepared to euthanize Starfish due to the severity of her case.

Just as they were about to move forward with the procedure, John, the Shelter Executive Director, walked in and stopped them. He wanted a second opinion.

That’s when they discovered she had Swimmer’s Syndrome.

Dr. Peter Falk of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association states that Swimmer’s Syndrome is when a puppy’s chest or thorax is flattened. Dr. Falk said that “because of the flattened chests in these puppies, it causes their front and hind legs to be splayed out, which keeps them in a swimming position.”

Hence the name.

Turns out with a little therapy, Swimmer’s Syndrome is totally manageable.

That was a close call.

Maggie had signed up with Alameda Animal Shelter to foster puppies when she was just 12. The shelter had sent out emails asking for foster families and Maggie knew her family had ro jump on this train.

Maggie and Starfish had an instant bond and she simply couldn’t let her go. Her parents agreed to let her keep Starfish. Maggie had actually told her family she was running away with Starfish because she felt that strongly about her.

Maggie and family took Starfish to physical therapy and she really nailed it on day one.

“She was so strong. I knew she was going to push through,” Maggie said.

Maggie was incredibly involved in Starfish’s therapy. She would help her walk at home, took her to water therapy, and more.

Starfish never stopped trying to walk.

She began obstacle course training where she really excelled.

Starfish wasn’t going to let anything stop her.

Maggie got to see Starfish walk on stairs and see her go across their lawn for the first time.

“I don’t even know how she did it,” Maggie said. “She just kept on trying over and over again.”

That is some serious will power!

Now, a year later, a full-grown Starfish can be found running around dog parks with other dogs!

She even loves the family cat, Pearl.

Starfish’s mom and dad said that Pearl used to have the upper hand when Starfish couldn’t walk but not so much now.

Starfish has been inspiring for the whole family. When Maggie struggles with something in school, she remembers the resilience and endurance of her beloved pup and pushes forward.

A lesson we can all take from Starfish about the power of perseverance.

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Source: PetMd, The Dodo