When we first adopted Hershey, she was severely traumatized. Her head was always down, her tail tucked, and she walked with her body close to the floor, often alternating between walking and crawling. Hershey was terrified of everything; even the sound of the fridge door closing made her shiver. When we tried to measure her length to get her a proper bed, she cried and shook, fearing we would hurt her.
However, as time passed, Hershey began to heal. She started to find joy in the outdoors, especially in hiking. She loved being in nature, and whenever we were near a lake or small river, she would get the zoomies, jumping everywhere with pure happiness. Nature became her safe haven, and her love for hiking showed us the beautiful spirit she had despite her past.
Hershey had been abandoned on a highway in Jeita, where she was abused. Her previous owners had made her pregnant, taken her puppies, and then discarded her. Initially, Hershey walked normally, but one day her walk changed, and she started moving in an unusual way. We consulted various veterinarians and soon discovered that the abuse she endured had caused severe damage to the discs in her back. We didn’t realize this until we noticed her unusual walk and began seeking veterinary care.
The first surgery didn’t improve her condition, and her situation worsened. We were uncertain about her care, including how to handle her bladder and bowel movements.
Determined to help Hershey, our search led us to Dr. Roy and Dr. Daria. After reviewing her case and understanding the damage to her back discs, they advised us to perform another MRI. Once the results were in, Dr. Roy explained that the surgery had only a 40% chance of success. After the surgery, Hershey would need three months of physiotherapy, and if she didn’t walk by then, she might never walk again. Despite the risks, we decided to proceed, hoping it would restore Hershey’s mobility. Post-surgery, Hershey began physiotherapy with Dr. Sandra.
Before the second surgery, we realized we needed financial help due to the economic crisis in Lebanon. We looked for support through social media, and to our surprise, many people donated to Hershey’s care. Their generosity gave us hope and the strength to continue.
For a year and a half, we committed to Hershey’s recovery with physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and electrotherapy. Even though she didn’t regain her ability to walk, we persevered with her exercises to prevent muscle loss in her legs. Hershey's courage and resilience through this challenging time made her a symbol of strength and hope.
During this period, we created supplements specifically for Hershey, including peanut butter with moringa and peanut butter with turmeric, to ease her inflammation and help her build muscles. These supplements are now part of our brand’s collection and were among the first treats offered by "NUFF." Hershey now has a wheelchair, and a home adapted to her needs.
Through "NUFF," inspired by Hershey and with her as the face of it, we aim to normalize having special needs dogs, showing that with some adjustments, they can live happy, fulfilling lives. We believe in accommodating their needs to ensure they can live normally despite their challenges, rather than ending their lives.
Hershey’s journey has turned her into a hero in our eyes, a symbol of strength and resilience. Her story inspires us to spread awareness that special needs dogs deserve to live and can thrive with proper accommodations. Through "NUFF," we hope to bring attention to the incredible lives of special needs dogs and encourage others to see them as the amazing, deserving companions they truly are.