Crystal the chocolate lab mix was thrown from a vehicle in mid-September near Williamsburg, IA. The fall left the one-year-old dog with multiple injuries - including broken legs, a fractured pelvis and a dislocated hip. To top it off, Crystal was incredibly thin.

The director of Safe Haven of Iowa County, Rinthea Satterlee, will never forget meeting the frail and severely injured dog. She said the experience was heart wrenching, but also gave her hope.

"She didn't live in the past, but in the moment, and licked my hand and gave me her paw as if to say, 'Thanks for saving me, and I'm going to be OK,'" Satterlee said.

Since getting treatment at Iowa State University's veterinary hospital, the young adult dog's vet bills have totaled $11,000, which Safe Haven has raised. Crystal still has two surgeries and months of rehabilitation ahead of her, though, that could cost an additional $5,000 to $6,000.

For Satterlee, helping Crystal hasn't just been about securing dollars for her care, however.

"It was about showing people that animal cruelty is always outweighed by human compassion. To get a kiss, a paw, a wag of the tail from Crystal after realizing what torture she had been through at the hands of a human was what put me into immediate action," she said.

Crystal is currently in foster care in Cedar Rapids. Her foster parents report that she is doing well. Satterlee said it will be months before she has completed the physical rehabilitation and she is available for adoption.

How You Can Help

Please make a donation to help with Crystal's mounting bills. Click Here to read more about her progress and make a monetary donation.

Or you can mail a check to:

Safe Haven of Iowa County

Box 444

Williamsburg, IA 52361

You can also check out their website (click here) for more ways you can help the homeless animals of Iowa County.

Image of Crystal courtesy of Safe Haven of Iowa County