Last night, a very special little dog named Kuzia passed away at the Дай лапу, друже (Give Me a Paw, Friend) animal shelter in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. I’m heartbroken, but I wanted to share his extraordinary story because I think he deserves to be remembered. Kuzia was rescued from a rubbish pit near Komyshuvakha, a town in Zaporizhzhia oblast devastated by the war. He had been shot three times, including in the head, and had lost an eye. When rescuers found him, they initially thought he was dead. Then he barked. Veterinarians believed he would never walk again. The bullets had caused severe neurological damage, and removing them was considered too dangerous. But Kuzia had an extraordinary will to live. Under the loving care of Irina Didur and the volunteers at the shelter, Kuzia slowly began to recover. After months of rehabilitation, he managed to stand. Then he learned to walk. Eventually, against all expectations, he could even run. Kuzia never fully recovered from his injuries. He lived with serious disabilities and required specialized food and ongoing veterinary treatment. But he refused to give up, and neither did the people who loved him. Over the years, his remarkable story touched people across Ukraine and beyond. Over the years many regularly contributed to his care and recovery. I was fortunate enough to be one of them. I had hoped to bring Kuzia home to Kyiv and give him a peaceful retirement, but his neurological condition made the stress of travel a serious concern. Sadly, I never got the opportunity to hold him in my arms. I often think about what life must be like for the hundreds of dogs at the shelter. However hard Irina and her volunteers work, there are simply too many animals and too few resources. Kuzia deserved a life of comfort, freedom, and love, as they all do. But I’ve come to believe that Kuzia’s life had a purpose far beyond his own survival. His courage and determination inspired people to open their hearts and their wallets. And I like to think that the generosity he inspired didn’t just help him, but also helped feed, shelter, and save other animals who had nowhere else to turn. In that sense, this little dog who had suffered so terribly may have helped save lives himself. The night before Kuzia passed, I prayed for his sweet little soul. I asked the spirits of all the animals I’ve loved and lost over the years to be there waiting for him, to welcome him and help him cross the Rainbow Bridge, so he wouldn’t have to make that journey alone. I want to thank Irina and everyone at Дай лапу, друже for everything they did for him. Their work, especially in a city living under the constant threat of war, is an extraordinary act of compassion. I’ll never forget what they did for Kuzia, and I’ll continue supporting their efforts to care for the hundreds of other animals who depend on them. Kuzia never knew how many people loved him, or how far away some of us were. He didn’t know how many hearts he touched or how much kindness he inspired. He was just a little dog who had been terribly hurt and somehow found the strength to keep living. But sometimes the smallest creatures leave the greatest impressions on our hearts. Rest peacefully, sweet Kuzia. You were a little angel, and I’ll never forget you. ❤️🐾🌈