09/02/2026
Good Samaritan Caleb was working in an oil field and driving through Pawnee National Grassland when he caught the faintest glimpse of white fur in the tall grass.
He pulled over and found a four-week-old Australian cattle dog mix with a severely swollen face running toward him. Caleb gently touched the side of her face, and she whimpered in pain.
Suspecting the puppy had been bitten by a rattlesnake, Caleb immediately called the non-emergency line for help and explained that the pup was in critical condition. While they couldn't make it out right away, Caleb scooped up the puppy, who would later be named Keota, and brought her along for the rest of his shift as he inspected oil wells.
Keota curled up in the passenger seat while Caleb did everything he could to keep her calm and her heart rate slow and steady. He offered her water and peanut butter, but the thought of opening her swollen mouth made her wince.
Eventually, Keota was transferred into the care of a Weld County deputy and taken straight to Pets Emergency Hospital, where she received exactly what she needed: antivenom and pain medication. Once Keota was stable, a Weld County Animal Control officer brought her to our Weld Campus in Evans for continued veterinary care and shelter.
The swelling was so severe that Keota could barely open her mouth. Our Animal Care team softened her food to make eating easier, while our Veterinary Services team closely monitored her condition and managed her pain.
A couple of days later, although the swelling began to improve, the tissue surrounding the bite later started to deteriorate. Keota was placed under anesthesia so our veterinary team could remove the damaged tissue, thoroughly clean the wound, and place a drain in her jaw to support continued healing and help prevent infection.
Day by day, Keota grew stronger. As the swelling subsided, so did the fear, and her playful personality began to shine through. She greeted staff and volunteers with a wagging tail and a wiggly butt!
But her recovery wasn't quite over.
Shortly after the symptoms of the bite had passed, Keota was diagnosed with giardia, an intestinal parasite, adding yet another medical obstacle to her journey. Still, Keota's resilience persevered. She received treatment and a specialized diet, and was cleared of the infection just one week later.
A strong and happy pup, Keota now had a clean bill of health and was ready for her next chapter: finding a loving family. And to no one's surprise, it didn’t take long for her to catch someone's eye. A loving family in Fort Collins spotted this sweet girl on our website and, soon after, Keota was home safe and sound. The happy ending we all hoped for for our furry champion.
The location Keota was found and rescued by Caleb was in a VERY remote area. So remote that the closest farmhouse is 10 miles away. Caleb was her last chance at survival. "I wasn't going to leave a little puppy out there by herself," he said.
Because Caleb stopped. Because he called for help. Because PETS Emergency Hospital provided lifesaving care. And because our teams were here to help Keota heal, this sweet, playful puppy now gets the chance to grow up healthy in a loving home she deserves. 🐾❤️
