My name is Angel. But I have to admit, so far, life has not been heavenly at all. I’m a female Terrier mix, and I’m between one and two years old. Right now, I weigh only 24 lbs. when normally I should weigh 50-60 lbs. My growth has been stunted because I’ve been starved for so long – almost to the point of death.

I really don’t remember too much of what’s happened to me in the past, but considering what I’ve been through, it’s probably good that I don’t. What I do remember is spending a lot of time in a cage – hungry, aching, lonely and scared. I don’t know what I did to deserve all of that. No one cared if I lived or died, and honestly, I was starting not to care either.

Then one day, I woke up in the street. I don’t even know how I got there. Was I abandoned? Did I break free? All I knew was I was free and that I DID care if I lived or died. I wanted to live. But now I had a different set of problems. I was lost in a big world, lost, frightened, and still terribly weak and hungry. If only I had wings, I could fly away and find help... I decided to try to find someone who could help me, so I ran my little heart out. I don’t know where my energy came from. I ran so fast, it was like a set of invisible wings helped me fly to safety.

The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital. I was so happy to see kind and friendly people. The doctors were trying hard to help me and the touch of their loving hands felt so good on my aching body. They gave me food and medicine and told me not to worry – that they would send me someplace where I could get the complete help I needed to live and to be happy.

Now I’m at North Shore Animal League America. I’m still pretty nervous, but I can tell that no one is going to hurt me here. People come around every few minutes to say hello, tell me how pretty I am, give me treats and food and make sure that I’m as comfortable as can be. The doctors tell me that I’m suffering from anemia and a severe skin infection for which I’m being treated with antibiotics, supplements and antihistamines. They say that I’m lucky to be alive, and they also tell me that I’ll never have to worry about being abandoned, mistreated or neglected again.

I’m in a special program called Help Me Heal. This program makes sure I get the intensive medical care I need for as long as I need it. But I’m not the only one in this life-saving program. I’m not alone.

Countless animals are abused, abandoned and neglected every single day, and this wonderful program has given all of us new hope and new lives.

The Help Me Heal Program is saving my life.... and you know what? I really do want to live. I can see that there is love and happiness waiting for me and one day, life will be great.

Thank you for supporting this life-saving program. I would have died without it, and for the first time in a really long time, I can honestly say that life really is worth living.

Click here to watch Angel's video.