Healing Hazel
Rescue Village’s mission sometimes reaches far beyond Northeast Ohio. While our work begins in the local counties we serve, compassion does not recognize borders, and sometimes neither do the animals who need our help.
Hazel, a cheerful 8-year-old Shar-Pei mix, arrived at Rescue Village in mid-July 2025 under difficult circumstances. When her family was forced to move and could no longer keep her and her brother, they faced an impossible decision. Wanting the very best for their beloved dogs, they entrusted them to Rescue Village, hoping they would find the care and stability they deserved.
When Hazel arrived, it quickly became clear that her road forward would require patience and medical attention. During her initial exam, our veterinary team discovered several health concerns, including an ear infection, skin infection, flea allergy, conjunctivitis in her right eye, worn teeth, and an unusual nasal curve.
Providing the care Hazel needed required coordination between our veterinary team, outside specialists, and dedicated staff. X-rays of her skull and chest raised additional questions, prompting consultation with a radiologist to rule out serious concerns and determine the safest treatment plan. Hazel ultimately received dental care, including several necessary extractions, through a trusted referral partner to ensure she received the highest level of care.
Over the following weeks, Hazel began to improve. Her infections cleared, her eyes healed, and her gentle personality quickly made her a favorite among staff and volunteers. Even as her health stabilized, however, Hazel still waited for the right person to come along.
Three months after her arrival, that moment finally came. A woman from Pennsylvania made the two-hour drive to meet Hazel after working closely with our adoption specialists to prepare for a successful transition. Although her two resident dogs couldn’t attend a meet-and-greet, she was committed to giving Hazel a chance.
That commitment paid off. Hazel quickly settled into her new home, joining a lively household that includes a cat, a Great Dane/Hound mix, and a Beagle.
In January 2026, Rescue Village received a heartfelt email from Hazel’s adopter describing how much Hazel had changed her life.
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank your organization,” she wrote. “I had shoulder surgery last winter, and Hazel and I bonded when she lay by my side on the couch every day for six weeks. After that, she became my dog, always wanting to be my shadow (including sitting on top of me!). She has such a wonderful personality. She doesn’t like to be cold but loves eating snow, loves fruits and veggies, and is mostly just happy to have a house with many soft places to sleep.”
Because of the care Hazel received, and the generosity of supporters who make this work possible, she was able to heal and begin a new chapter. As her adopter wrote at the close of her message:
“I cannot express how much I love this dog. She is a part of my life that I didn’t know I needed. I got that thanks to Rescue Village.”
Today, Hazel’s story is no longer defined by uncertainty. It is defined by love, comfort, and belonging, made possible through compassion, community, and the lifesaving work of Rescue Village.