Abandoning a dog is bad enough, but to abandon a dog after she has had puppies is beyond tragic. That was what happened to a pit bull named Poly. She was left tied to a park bench in Santa Barbara, California, scared and confused.

Worst of all, she was also sick and blind. But something good came out of the tragedy. Her plight went on to inspire an organization that still helps abandoned and abused dogs today, long after Poly passed on.

Poly was found abandoned in the park

When Poly was first found, it was discovered that she had a bad heart condition and skin issues. It was also determined that she had recently given birth when she was found, though searchers could not find her puppies anywhere nearby.

Her rescuers thought she had been abandoned after she had her litter of puppies.

Paying Poly’s medical costs

Rescued by officers with Santa Barbara County Animal Services, the poor, abandoned pit bull was placed in a foster home until workers could find her a more permanent place to live. The shelter also started a fundraiser to help pay for her numerous medical bills, which eventually resulted in over $15,000 being raised.

While at her foster home, it was discovered that her heart condition kept her from being too active. And while she loved going to the park for walks, too much activity would send her into a coughing fit or even cause her to faint. Regardless of her condition, she was determined to have a good life.

‘Flat Poly’

Her story inspired the Website “Flat Poly,” which allowed site visitors to print out a picture of Poly and place it on a cardboard cutout.

The idea was to take pictures of Poly in various locations around the U.S. and the world. This way, Poly could visit these places in spirit even though her physical condition prevented it.

Poly’s Fund

When Poly died in 2016, it was decided that her legacy would live on in the form of Poly’s Fund, an organization that gets other abandoned and abused dogs the help that they need. The money raised by the fund pays for the rehabilitation and rehoming of the dogs it helps.

The fund’s tagline is “pawing it forward.”

Poly’s legacy continues to live on

Poly’s story has inspired volunteers to make a difference in the world when it comes to abused and abandoned pets, and it is amazing to see all of the good being done in Poly’s name. How she inspired others was captured best by a post on her Facebook page the day after she died. In part it read:

“We love you, Poly. We will miss your beautiful smile, your velvet fur, your goofy rolls in the grass, your happy bounce.

Now you can see.

Now your heart is no longer broken.

Now you can run and play.

Oh, how we wish we could see that.

Rest in peace you special, wonderful SUPERDOG.”

For more on how you can help dogs in need, visit the Poly’s Fund Website or check out her Facebook page. Watch the video below for more on Poly’s journey from a dog abandoned in the park to one who found the love she always wanted.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: b/60

H/T: Paw My Gosh, polysfund.org