Cassie the Border Collie Was Left With a Gaping Wound—Now She’s Headed Toward Hope
I usually start these stories with a dog in a kennel. But this one? This one started with a text.
Mel—the amazing groomer from Animal Friends of the Valleys—reached out with a photo of a dog that stopped me in my tracks. A beautiful border collie… with half her face missing. That’s not an exaggeration. Her eye looked gone, her skull visibly deformed, and her coat matted with the kind of grime that takes years to accumulate.
Mel had started grooming her. And then she fell in love.
And when Mel falls in love? I listen.
Cassie’s Backstory
We don’t know everything that happened to Cassie before she was found wandering the streets of a neighboring city. But we do know this: she was picked up and rushed to an emergency vet, then brought to the shelter by animal control. No microchip. No collar. No one looking for her.
She’s about seven years old—middle-aged for a border collie—and despite the trauma she’s been through, Cassie still wags her tail. She still trusts. And she still lives in the moment. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: dogs are better than us.
Grooming Cassie
Mel, who once took in a severely neglected shepherd named Macy, gave Cassie the same unconditional care. She carefully covered Cassie’s wound with a cloth, gently bathed her, and even gave her a toy—maybe her first ever.
There was a moment during that grooming session that I won’t forget: Cassie caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Just a second. Just a glance. And it was like she stood a little taller. Like she saw herself—not just the injury. That’s what love can do.
Mel gave her a name, too: Cassie. And it suits her perfectly.
Medical Reality Check
When I first saw Cassie’s injury, I assumed the worst—maybe cancer, maybe blunt force trauma. And to be honest, I saw dollar signs. Something this severe could easily cost $10,000… $20,000… maybe more. Most shelters just don’t have the resources for a case like this.
But my heart wouldn’t let me walk away.
Cassie had visible mammary tumors, bad teeth, and that gaping wound where her eye should be. I was prepared for palliative care, if that’s all we could offer. But then—hope showed up.
There’s an Eye Under There!
After driving her to Rancho Cucamonga to meet with Dr. Carol—a vet with a heart as big as her surgical skills—we got shocking news.
Under all that tissue, swelling, and damage…
Cassie’s eye was still there.
It’s functional. It’s savable.
I’ve seen a lot in rescue, but this? I’ve never seen anything like it. I genuinely thought her eye was gone. But this girl? She just keeps surprising us.
Breed Breakdown: Why Cassie’s a Classic Collie
Cassie is 100% border collie—freckles, fur fringe, and all. This breed is known for intelligence, agility, and deep loyalty. They’re herders by nature, thinkers by default, and companions for life.
And Cassie? Even in her condition, she’s still alert, aware, and gentle. It’s no wonder Mel—who’s had border collies herself—felt an instant connection.
Training Tip: Affirmations Work Wonders
When a dog is this physically broken, emotional healing becomes just as important. I used positive affirmations with Cassie the minute I sat with her:
“You’re safe now.”
“You’re a good girl.”
“You didn’t deserve this.”
Never underestimate the power of your voice. A calm presence, kind words, and soft hands can build trust faster than any treat. (But let’s be real—treats help, too.)
Next Steps: Surgery, Recovery & Flip’s Farm
Cassie’s undergoing a full assessment—staging for possible cancer, bloodwork, X-rays, and ultrasounds. If the results are positive, she’ll undergo surgery to remove the mammary tumors, fix her eye, and finally get the dental care she desperately needs.
And then?
She’s headed to Flip’s Farm, where the birds chirp, the coffee trees grow, and the dogs heal. It’s a place built for dogs like Cassie. Dogs who were discarded and overlooked but still have so much love left to give.
Want to Help?
Every cup of Flip Coffee funds stories like this. Every monthly member, every purchase, every share—it’s all part of a mission to turn pain into peace for dogs like Cassie.
If you’re watching Cassie’s story and thinking how can I help?—here’s how:
- Become a monthly member
- Buy Flip Coffee
- Subscribe to my emails
- Share Cassie’s story
- Or just send her your love. That matters, too.
Thanks for sticking with me. Rescue is messy. It’s emotional. But it’s also magic.
And Cassie? She’s about to experience a whole lot more of it.
