On a hot summer day this past June, seven puppies were abandoned in a crate at PAWS, malnourished, overheated, and very scared. One of them was Cassian, a special pup with a remarkable will to thrive.

As our medical team examined the puppies, they quickly noticed something unusual with Cassian: a heart murmur severe enough to warrant consultation with a cardiac specialist. An EKG during his revealed a serious condition called severe pulmonic stenosis — a birth defect in which one of Cassian’s heart valves was too small, forcing one side of his heart to work overtime and begin to enlarge. Left untreated, the condition could lead to sudden heart failure.

Luckily, there was a procedure that could help. The highly specialized surgery, called a balloon valvuloplasty, involves gently threading a small balloon through the heart valve and inflating it just enough to widen the opening so blood can flow more normally. For a fragile puppy like Cassian, the prospect was daunting — but it was his best chance.

With the support of a devoted foster family, Cassian began the journey he needed to prepare for surgery. They helped him gain weight, build his confidence, and perhaps most importantly, feel safe and loved. Slowly, the once-reserved puppy shared more and more of his playful, loving spirit.

Three months after he was abandoned, Cassian received the lifesaving procedure he needed thanks to PAWS’ Medical Relief Fund. After recovery, Cassian’s story took an even brighter turn. He was adopted by Abigail and Ed, who introduced him to their dog Bodhi. Today, Cassian plays in the backyard, eats with enthusiasm, zooms around the house, and is steadily winning over his new canine brother.

Now 9 months old, Cassian is living the joyful, carefree life he always deserved — a reminder of how transformative compassion and specialized medical care can be for animals who need it most.