From Dumped to Safe: Bianca's Journey to Recovery

allpawsreunited
Jan 18
3 min read

Updated: Feb 22

A Heartfelt Rescue Story

Out of snow squalls, single-digit temperatures, and sub-zero wind chills, we found Bianca. For now, we’re calling her Bianca—Italian for “white”—a nod to her beautiful coloring and the snowstorm she bravely survived.

We received the call on Friday night. This sweet girl was severely malnourished and facing two brutal nights of freezing temperatures. There was nowhere for her to go, so a plea went out to SCARS. Without hesitation, they agreed: this girl needed to be rescued from the harsh weather.

The Challenge of Rescue

Friday night, we quickly realized that Bianca was too tall for our large box trap, which measures 6 feet long by 28 inches tall. This meant we needed a bigger solution. A call went out to our partners at Topeka/Lawrence Dog Trappers, and Amy immediately stepped up to help. Thank you, Amy!

Early Saturday morning, we set up the Missy Trap in sub-zero wind chills. It was the kind of cold where your fingers burn and go numb, even with gloves on. You tell yourself to stop complaining, because if your hands hurt that badly, Bianca’s paws are feeling it far worse. Huge kudos to Bri, who not only advocated relentlessly for this girl but was also right there in the freezing cold helping set the trap.

The forecast predicted even colder temperatures for the next night, so getting her safe that day was critical.

The Unexpected Turn

Then things got complicated. Spooked by a neighbor, Bianca bolted—through barbed wire and into a large pasture to the south. I tracked her on roughly a two-mile loop, at one point along the side of I-70. After guiding her where I needed her to go, she settled back into the south pasture… until something startled her again, and she disappeared.

After a brief search, I located her and monitored her movements with binoculars. A dog in full flight mode is hyper-aware; the smallest sound can send them running. I guessed she’d wait until dark to return to the spot where we’d fed her before.

So we waited.

At 8:43 PM, she appeared on camera. Game on.

The Capture

She spent several minutes trying to figure out how to steal the food without committing. At 8:47, she began cautiously stepping inside. And at 8:48, we had her.

Just over 24 hours—safe.

Calming a dog in this level of flight mode takes time. Thankfully, rotisserie chicken exists—every dog’s kryptonite. Once she settled enough, we safely transferred her to a box trap for transport. For a dog this traumatized, a slip lead simply isn’t an option—we cannot risk escape.

After 10 PM, we headed to SCARS. Not many places will accept a dog that late at night, but the alternative—another night in dangerous weather—was unacceptable to all of us.

A Warm Welcome

When we arrived, it was a “balmy” 7 degrees outside (not including wind chill). Maureen had a warm suite prepared—fit for a queen. With radiant heat, Bianca went from arctic survival mode to something resembling a sunny beach… at least figuratively.

We carefully lined the trap with the doorway—zero room for error. Once secure, we began her assessment.

No microchip.
Prominent spine and hips.
Severely malnourished and dehydrated.

This didn’t happen in just two days. This was long-term neglect.

Bianca's Spirit

And yet—she is incredibly sweet.

With her tail tucked and eyes wide, she was terrified and constantly scanning for escape routes. But beneath it all, she’s a good girl at her core. A lover. Broken, but not shattered. Her trust in people isn’t gone—it just needs time.

She ate.

She slept.

She rested—warm and safe.

A Day of Care

Sunday was an all-hands-on-deck day for Bianca at SCARS. She did wonderfully and will continue improving each day. She’s a beautiful girl, and while her recovery will take time, she is absolutely worth it.

The Road Ahead

Bianca's journey is just beginning. Each day, she grows stronger and more comfortable in her new environment. The love and care she receives will help her heal both physically and emotionally.

We are committed to ensuring that she receives the best care possible. Our team will monitor her progress closely and provide the necessary support as she adjusts to her new life.

Gratitude for Support

Endless thanks to:

Bri, Brooke, and their neighbors for advocating fiercely and working tirelessly for this sweet girl.
Amy Kenney Coon of Topeka Lawrence Dog Trappers for the custom Missy Trap.
SCARS for opening their doors late at night and providing the care Bianca so desperately needed.