01/19/2026
Thanks to the donors of Winston Project, we were able to provide a grant to Way Home For Dogs run by Babs Fry. 🎉
These are the vidoes and update we received.
When I first saw the videos, I thought there were 2 dogs lost. Turns out it was a coyote who would have won had it not been for Babs and A Way Home for Dogs who were already working for days to find Minka and bring her to safety.
Happy ending spoiler with a plea for help! It started as a typical “call Babs.” A dog bolted from her new adopter. A well-meaning networker stepped in to help Minka on the day she was scheduled for euthanasia. The intention was to save a life — and it did. Unfortunately, then Loki and now Minka’s (German Strong/ Resolute) situation was far more complex than anyone realized at the time.
Minka came into the shelter as a stray and had already spent two months in pain. She was scared, shut down, and clearly struggling physically. Despite outreach, no rescue was able to step in before her deadline.
In an effort to keep her safe, Minka was placed temporarily with family and later adopted, with the understanding that medical care would be addressed once she was settled.
Just two days into her new home, Minka could barely walk. When carried outside to potty, she was startled by a loud noise and fled into the wilderness of rural San Diego County.
For 5 days and 4 nights, there were no sightings. Coyotes run in large packs, mountain lions are common and bobcats roam the park. Everyone feared the worse. When she was finally spotted, she was hiding on the edge of the RV park from where she had first run. Against all odds, she survived exposure and predators in the mountains.
Due to the rural location, cell service was a challenge. Cameras worked but apps to monitor did not. We drove 15 mins away to get connectivity and when we arrived within cell range were shocked at what we saw. Minka was not just safe but already being circled by coyotes while in the trap. To think what it must’ve been like for her without the protection of that inpenetrable cage for 5 nights is unimaginable.
Minka should weigh approximately 50 pounds. She weighs 30 and has since she came into the shelter October 12..
Once safely in the closed comfort of my office it was clear she needed immediate medical care and was taken to the vet. Upon examination it became clear that Minka’s condition was far more serious than an unaddressed injury. What was initially thought by the networker to be minor turned out to be torn cruciate ligaments and severely luxated patellas in BOTH hind legs. She is unable to walk and has been living with significant pain for an extended period of time.
Minka is now safe and has been turned over to our care. She will be a long-term medical and rehabilitation case, beginning with addressing her physical needs and followed by social recovery learning life is safe and people trustworthy. We are not a large, well-funded medical rescue. Our focus is recovery and rehabilitation. Minka exited the shelter with no real plan and at the time of capture no solid solution was in place for her either. Leaving her to suffer another day was NOT an option.
🙏 We are asking for your HELP to cover the significant medical expenses ahead ($12k - $6k per leg-is the current estimate pending no complications). Every donation will go directly toward diagnostics, surgery, pain management, and ongoing care as Minka begins her healing journey.
Minka fought to survive. Now she needs a community to help her heal. Please help!
💙 DONATE TODAY!
Mention Minka’s name in the notes/comments when donating.
➡️ Call Imperial Beach Pet Hospital and Urgent Care, 619-424-3961 and add money to AWHFD account
➡️ Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-fix-our-willow
➡️ Website: www.awayhomefordogs.com
➡️ Venmo, Patreon & GoFundMe: links can be found on AWHFD Linktree: https://linktr.ee/awayhomefordogs
➡️ PayPal: [email protected]
➡️ Check: A Way Home for Dogs, Inc. 5073 Central Ave. #2001, Bonita, CA 91908 g to g
