A lurcher so emaciated that her skeleton was visible through her skin has defied all odds, making a full recovery and preparing for her first Christmas with a loving new family. Peanut, described by the RSPCA as the thinnest dog they had ever encountered, was found collapsed and close to death in a country lane in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, on New Year's Day this year.
A Desperate Discovery and a Fight for Life
When a member of the public discovered the three-year-old dog, she weighed a mere 26lb 8oz (12kg) – roughly half her healthy body weight. In a state of extreme neglect, every bone in her body was prominent, she suffered from pressure sores on her legs and tail, and she was not expected to survive the night. An emergency vet saw her before she was transferred to the RSPCA's Block Fen Animal Centre in Cambridgeshire.
Kennel supervisor Tiffany Saunders recalled the harrowing first sight of Peanut. "We see a lot of sad things, but I will always remember the first time I saw Peanut," she told the Daily Mail. "I couldn't help but shed a few tears. She was just a poor little girl, she had no strength and was just a skeleton, but there was something deep in her eyes which gave us hope." Staff, sensing she still had "some fight left," began round-the-clock care.
The Long Road to Recovery and Rebuilding Trust
Peanut's physical healing required intense support. Lacking the body fat to stay warm, she was dressed in coats and jumpers by her dedicated carers. The morning after her rescue, in a small sign of hope, she managed to move her tail. "We were all just so thrilled," Ms Saunders said. However, the psychological scars ran deep. The lurcher was initially nervous of people, having lost her trust due to her past experiences.
"Rebuilding that trust was one of the biggest challenges we faced," Ms Saunders explained. A significant breakthrough came when Peanut befriended Bailey, a 12-year-old chihuahua crossbreed, often snuggling up with him for comfort. As her weight improved and wounds healed, the focus shifted to preparing her for a new life.
A New Beginning and a Christmas to Remember
By the end of February, Peanut was well enough to be rehomed, sparking an overwhelming response with more than 50 applications. Her new owner, who wishes to remain anonymous and lives in the South West, travelled hundreds of miles to meet her and introduce their other dog. Ms Saunders personally took Peanut to her forever home.
"Watching Peanut build a bond with them brought tears to our eyes – happy ones this time," she said. "We knew in our hearts we had found her family." Despite an investigation, no one was prosecuted. Peanut was microchipped, but the registered owner had sold her on when she was just six months old.
This Christmas, Peanut's story stands as a testament to resilience and compassion. Meanwhile, the RSPCA has partnered with Omaze for their latest Million Pound House Draw, from which the charity will receive a donation of £1million to help other animals in need.
