Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2023) – Just over five weeks ago, Helen Woodward Animal Center shared the story of 40 orphan puppies who experienced a serious transportation vehicle accident in Longview, Texas. 38 of those puppies survived and were nicknamed the “miracle puppies” by television media. The story spread, warming hearts across the country as all but one of these puppies found their new families in time for Christmas. Today, Cricket, the most seriously injured of those survivors, is finally ready to find her forever family at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Her recovery and resilience have given Center staff much to celebrate.
(The many faces of Cricket from arrival to becoming adoptable.)
The December 20th accident was the worst of its kind in Helen Woodward Animal Center’s over 50-year history. The transport, delivering Heart of Louisiana Humane Society orphan puppies, was one of over 40 life-saving missions the two organizations have united on since 2020. On icy roads, the car hit a center median and flipped, skidding onto its side and sliding across the highway when the driver overcorrected. Fortunately, the driver was able to call 911. Longview Fire Department Station 3 and the Longview Police Department closed down I-20, flipped the vehicle upright and began assessments on its furry passengers. An emergency vet was contacted for additional health checks and treatment but sadly, two of the puppies did not survive the accident.
Of the survivors, Cricket, a female 4-month old Border Collie blend, had the most concerning injuries. In addition to cuts and bruises, Cricket had sustained a major metacarpal fracture to her front left leg, a still-growing bone. The emergency vet in Longview, Texas set her leg in a cast and upon arrival, Helen Woodward Animal Center followed up with treatment. In pain and in shock, however, Cricket showed signs of trauma and fear and the Center team knew that recovery time in foster care would help with more than healing bones.
Since Cricket’s west-coast arrival she has been cared for by an incredible foster family, along with regular checkups and treatment by the Center’s medical staff. (A photo of Cricket sleeping beside her foster puppy brother shows her comfort from his kind-willingness to share a bed.) As her leg healed, so too did her fearful heart.
“The videos the foster sent of her playing tug-of-war while she was still dealing with her cast were the ones that really made me smile,” stated Helen Woodward Adoption Services Director Kendall Schulz. “It’s like we finally got to see her grow into a real puppy. Usually we see them grow into dogs but Cricket really needed to find her playful, happy, puppy-energy first and it just warms our hearts to see it come out in her.”
Just over a week ago, Cricket was finally able to have her cast removed and after another week with her foster family, she has gained confidence and strength to use the leg as she should. Now the only missing piece to her story is her final forever family – a miracle realized.
Cricket starts her adoption journey tomorrow morning, Saturday, January 28th. The Center opens at 10:00 a.m. Her perfect forever family will give her minimal exercise as she continues to strengthen her leg, with short walks along with plenty of love and gentle playtime!
“These stories are why we get into the field in the first place, because we are here to help,” explained Helen Woodward Registered Veterinary Technician Breanne Sneddon. “Anytime you are able to help your patients, it is always a fuzzy, warm feeling.””
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center or to adopt, go online at www.animalcenter.org or call (858) 756-4117 x 313.