Lemon’s Story

Lemon may only be a year old, but she has already overcome more challenges than most pups face in a lifetime.

She came to ADL with her littermates in December 2024. While most of her siblings were adopted quickly, Lemon’s journey took a different path. Soon after adoption, she became sick and was returned with a twitch/myoclonus (involuntary muscle spasms) that are consistent with neurologic distemper.

She experienced bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, and was extremely weak. For a while, her future was uncertain. As our Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Marilynn Culbreth, noted during one of Lemon’s hardest weeks, “She can barely support her upper body and must be hand-fed. She is trying, but her body is failing her.”

But Lemon refused to give up. Even in her weakest moments, her tail never stopped wagging. ADL’s Chief of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Savannah Beauregard, shares that with specialized medical care at ADL and the love of her foster families, “Lemon is gaining weight and building muscle. Her strength and mobility are improving—while her front left leg is permanently tucked under her body due to a tightening of the muscles that limits movement in her shoulder and elbow, she is now able to run and walk short distances.” While she may always face mobility challenges, her spirit is unstoppable.

Lemon’s story is what our Second Chances Campaign is all about—giving pets who have been through the toughest battles the chance to heal, grow, and live full lives.

🐾 You can help pets like Lemon by donating to our Paws for a Cause Emergency Medical Fund at adltexas.org/pawsforacause today. Together, we can make more second chances possible!