Surgery scheduled for Theia, the dog that was buried alive

Theia, the Moses Lake “miracle dog” who survived being hit by a car, beaten and buried alive, is due for treatment at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman starting Tuesday.

The 1-year-old bully breed mix was a stray before she wandered into a Moses Lake shop early this year. Workers there cared for her until she was hit by a car in mid-February. That’s when someone attempted a misguided mercy killing, hitting Theia over the head with a hammer.

But Theia dug herself out of the shallow grave her attacker put her in, and survived. Since then, she’s been living with Moses Lake resident Sara Mellado, who’s hoping to get Theia’s injuries treated before adopting her out.

At WSU’s hospital, Theia will receive treatment for the jaw and skull fractures she suffered during the attack.

Veterinary surgeons plan to put Theia under anesthesia, then use a small scope to look into her sinus cavity. The goal is to see if they can fully open her sinus passages, making it easier for her to breathe.

The results of that exploration will guide further care for Theia, WSU said in a news release Thursday.

Theia is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday, Mellado said on a Facebook page she created to post updates about her rescue dog. Surgeons hope to remove damaged scar tissue and bone fragments from Theia’s injuries and insert a small tube into her nasal cavity to help keep her airway open.

“I will be driving Theia myself to Pullman on Tuesday and checking her in and meeting with the surgeons. I have to say I’m getting pretty anxious!” Mellado wrote on the page Wednesday.

She also said Theia is back to her recommended weight.

Theia’s treatment is expected to cost as much as $10,000, but Mellado has been able to raise over $28,000 through a campaign on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe to pay for Theia’s care.

WSU said she has promised to donate the remaining funds to the Good Samaritan Fund, which pays for veterinary care for animals who need special treatment their owners cannot afford.