Indiana Hedl And His Human Family
February 2021. We found Indiana, a one-month old street dog, shrieking in pain. He had been hit by a car, severing his right paw and shattering one of his legs. It was a terrible sight. By the time we could get him to a vet who might be able to help save his paw, it had died from blood loss. We brought him to a foster family, one with experience caring for special-needs dogs. There, he waited for surgery.
To share Indiana’s charm and resilience, we sent Indiana’s story to CUDDLY, who featured it on their Instagram account, which is where John and Brittany Hedl first saw Indiana. At every milestone of his journey to wellness, Brittany and John were following along. They were with him when, despite the hardships of his young life, he still found a way to chase his tail. They realized quickly that they were the family he was looking for.
After the Hedl’s were approved to adopt Indiana, they found themselves against the clock. The American Centers for Disease Control planned to stop dogs from traveling from India as part of a rabies variant prevention protocol. Indiana had to be 12 weeks old to travel. That would leave only a month to get him on a plane, or they would have to wait a year.
When it was time to go, everything went without a hitch. Indiana got into a travel container for pets and started his flight to America. By that time, Brittany and John had already started from their 500 mile trip from North Carolina to Florida. Indiana himself had flown across the world to meet them. Having seen only videos and photos, it was surreal for them to encounter him in the flesh and fur. He was timid, but the humans had faith that their love could calm his fear. Before the sun went down that day, Indiana was in the Hedl’s car, asleep on Brittany. He was a perfect match for them.
Indiana settled nicely into his new home, his new life. He bonded quickly with John and Brittany, and they bonded with him. They came to understand him. Not just his winning personality that enchanted them from across the globe. They also appreciate his limitations. Having three legs can make a walk a bit exhausting, so the Hedl’s bring a wagon with them, just in case Indiana needs a break.
The story of the Hedl family couldn’t have happened without help from our friends at CUDDLY or without the big hearts of John and Brittany. Please share Indiana’s story with the animal lovers in your life. And, if you happen to be so inclined, donations are always incredibly appreciated.
Indiana TV Episode
Indiana on TheDodo
Indiana TV Episode
Indiana on TheDodo
Hi, I was born in India, Calcutta. But I left when I was 9 years India alone. Went to Italy and then Switzerland and now in Canada. I remember the disgusting adult man throw brick on a dog that broke its one leg. He cry and cry at pain. It is disgusting and sick. That time I did not know what to do but today I would brake this man’s leg with a Boulet or cut his neck. I saw in India the women are not considered by men as human. They tortured and at the end kill them as she did not brought money from her family enough. The criminal getaway by paying money to the authorities. This country will never change.