Dottie no longer walks to her water bowl.

She crawls.

The nine-year-old Maltese mix lies on a soft towel inside her medical kennel, her tiny body almost disappearing into the folds.

Much of the coat that should cover her back, belly, and legs is gone.

Instead, large areas of exposed skin are red and irritated from the skin disease now being treated.

Her body is painfully thin.

Her strength is limited.

And when Dottie tries to stand, her legs begin trembling within seconds.

Eventually, she lowers herself again.

But thirst keeps giving her a reason to move.

Dottie's head lifts.

She looks toward the water.

Her front paws stretch forward.

Then she begins pulling.

Her chest slides across the towel.

Her abdomen follows.

The back legs contribute little.

Inch by inch, Dottie drags herself until her muzzle reaches the bowl.

She drinks without standing.

A few laps.

A pause.

A few more.

Then, instead of crawling back to her bedding, Dottie lowers her head beside the bowl.

Her eyes close.

Within moments, she is asleep.

Dottie Arrived Severely Depleted

Her appearance made the seriousness of her condition difficult to miss.

Dottie was substantially underweight.

She was dehydrated.

Her muscles had diminished.

And prolonged skin disease had caused extensive hair loss and inflammation.

The missing coat made every contour of her small body more visible.

Her spine.

Her hips.

Her narrow shoulders.

Her thin legs.

But her weakness became clearest when she tried to perform the most ordinary tasks.

Standing.

Walking.

Drinking.

Thirst Is Stronger Than Her Legs

When Dottie wakes thirsty, she does not wait for someone to move her.

She tries to reach the bowl herself.

At first, she attempts to stand.

Her front legs straighten.

Her chest rises.

Her hindquarters follow more slowly.

For several seconds, Dottie may remain upright.

Then the shaking begins.

Her legs bend.

Her body sinks.

So she uses the strategy that requires less strength.

She crawls.

Her Front Legs Do Most of the Work

Dottie extends both front paws.

They grip the towel.

She pulls.

Her chest moves forward.

Then she repeats the motion.

Her hind legs may push weakly, but they cannot support her for long.

The movement is slow.

It does not resemble normal walking.

But it gets Dottie where she wants to go.

Back to the water.

Reaching the Bowl Doesn't Mean the Work Is Over

Dottie still has to drink.

She lies flat on her belly.

Her front legs spread slightly.

Her muzzle reaches the edge of the bowl.

Then her tongue begins moving.