It was an ordinary day in Peru when Vanessa Grandez noticed a small, unmoving figure on the roadside. At first glance, the furry shape appeared lifeless, another casualty of neglect. But as she approached, she realized with a jolt of hope — the dog was still alive.
The pup had been struck by a car and left behind. Countless people had passed him by, but no one had stopped. Grandez was the first to intervene. “When he was run over, nobody helped him,” she said later. For this little dog, her compassion marked the turning point between despair and survival.
Without hesitation, Grandez scooped him into her arms and rushed him to a nearby veterinarian, refusing to let him become just another forgotten stray.
A Critical Diagnosis and Emergency Surgery
At the clinic, the medical team examined the injured pup. The news was grim: the accident had left him with a broken spine. Without surgery, his chances of recovery were slim, and even with it, he faced a long, uncertain road.
Grandez, undeterred, launched a fundraiser to cover the cost of the operation. Strangers were moved by the story of this dog who still had so much life left in him, and support began to pour in.
She named him Peluchin, meaning “teddy bear,” a name that reflected both his soft appearance and the warmth she wanted to surround him with during his recovery. Surgery was performed, and though Peluchin’s body remained fragile, the spark in his eyes showed he was determined to fight.
Rehabilitation and a Homemade Wheelchair
When Peluchin returned home with Grandez, it was clear that the surgery was only the first step. Though his spirit brightened and his joy for life resurfaced, his body lagged behind. He dragged himself across the floor, unable to properly use his back legs.
But Grandez and her boyfriend, Sebastian, refused to give up. They believed Peluchin deserved not just survival but mobility and freedom. To help him regain strength, Sebastian designed and built a custom wheelchair. Unlike many mobility aids, this one was crafted to encourage Peluchin to push against the support and begin rebuilding his leg muscles.
The moment Peluchin was strapped into his tiny wheelchair, something changed. His tail wagged. His ears perked up. And for the first time since the accident, he could move with confidence. “He has improved a lot with the wheelchair,” Grandez said. “You can see he has more energy and the desire to walk again.”
With every practice session, Peluchin grew stronger. His resilience became an inspiration to everyone who followed his story.
Finding a Forever Family
Though Grandez had become like a mother to Peluchin, her living situation made it impossible to keep him permanently. But she didn’t simply hand him off — she worked tirelessly to find the perfect family who could give him the life he deserved.
After weeks of care and love under Grandez’s roof, Peluchin was finally strong enough to transition into a new chapter. Once his stitches were removed, he moved into the home of his adoptive family.
“It was bittersweet,” Grandez admitted. “I handed him over to his family after his stitches were removed from the operation. I was like his mother during his recovery.” Still, her joy outweighed her sadness, knowing that Peluchin was not just surviving but thriving. She continues to visit him, celebrating every milestone along the way.
A Future Filled With Hope
Today, Peluchin is a different dog from the broken figure lying by the roadside weeks earlier. While he still relies on his wheelchair, his progress has been remarkable. He zooms across the ground with unstoppable energy, plays with his toys, and showers his new family with affection.
Grandez believes that one day, he may regain full use of his legs. Even if he doesn’t, Peluchin has already proven that his spirit is unbreakable. “I love Peluchin very much,” Grandez said, her voice filled with pride. She continues to cheer him on, waiting for the day he might run into her arms unassisted.
Peluchin’s journey is more than just a rescue story — it’s a reminder of the power of compassion, resilience, and second chances. What began as tragedy has blossomed into a story of hope, showing that even the most broken can find healing when love steps in.
