A brave, young dog facing life-threatening injuries was losing hope, but some luck and unmeasurable bravery turned her story into a global inspiration.

Chi Chi the golden retriever was destined for greatness, but it didn’t always seem that way.

It all began in a dumpster in South Korea. No one knows how Chi Chi ended up there, but as you can imagine, it was a devastating start for the sweet girl.

Back in 2016, she had been left for dead in a dumpster in South Korea. She was found (by an unnamed person) inside a garbage bag, with her legs tightly bound by wires which had cut deep into her skin.

Nabiya Irion Hope Project, an animal welfare group based in South Korea, had notified Animal Rescue, Media & Education (ARME) of a potential meat farm where Chi Chi was found. It was almost pure luck that they happened to find the scared and injured girl at all.

Upon being treated at the hospital, it was determined that Chi Chi had to have all four of her paws amputated to survive.

As horrible as this news was, Chi Chi survived and fought off infections, beginning the long road to recovery. Well into recovery, ARME shared a video of Chi Chi which reached Elizabeth Howell in Arizona. Elizabeth knew right away that she wanted to take the courageous dog into her home and carry on this fantastic story.

“She stole my heart,” Howell told TODAY.

A few weeks later, Chi Chi flew from Korea to Arizona. In Elizabeth Howell’s care, she soon received four custom-designed prosthetic limbs. This proved to be a challenge due to the fact that her legs were amputated at different heights, but nothing could stop Chi Chi from walking again!

After a bit of trial and error, Chi Chi was up and moving faster than anyone expected.

“When people meet Chi Chi, they are inspired by her courage, perseverance, ability to overcome adversity and her never-give-up attitude,” Howell said in a statement released by American Humane. “She exemplifies resilience and forgiveness, and openly shares her love and compassion in abundance. Her sweet-tempered and gentle spirit opens people’s hearts and her perceptive spirit senses where her love is needed.”

Once she was fully mobile again, Chi Chi began training to become a therapy dog. She visits those in assisted-living facilities as well as veterans, youth, and even other amputees! She was even named American Humane’s 2018 American Hero Dog.

“Chi Chi is truly a gift from God,” Howell said after Chi Chi was awarded the Hero Dog honor. “And we are grateful for every day she is here to abundantly share her love and inspire us to never give up.”

Sadly, in March of 2018, the heroic, beautiful dog was diagnosed with an untreatable tumor in her nasal cavity. She passed away in February of 2019. Chi Chi made a difference in many lives. She was a living example of perseverance, love, and compassion.

Chi Chi will live on through her inspiring legacy and serve as an inspiration for everyone she has touched. Learn more about Chi Chi, her incredible rescue, and her wonderful life in the video below.

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Source: Animal Channel, The Dodo/YouTube, Today.com,