"He was found by a group of people injured on the side of the road. One of our clients is a good Samaritan was concerned about the life or death of the little dog."

Veterinarian Patrick Leadbeater says they're not sure, but they believe a car may have struck Nathan. The puppy was broken with so much damage was to his left rear leg, it had to be amputated.

"The left rear leg consists of this and this and the hip completely dislocated."

Nathan's second surgery was two days later, fixing this break in his front right leg.

"This corner should be in that corner and that corner should be in that corner."

Those bones are now fused together by a surgical plate and 7 screws. Nathan still sports the scar from that surgery. And he also undergoes physiotherapy twice every day on his other front leg after getting his 3rd surgery. That front leg was shattered and split all the way to his foot.

It's only been 3 weeks since Nathan's accident. Already, he's walking around, playing with his ball. Sometimes he still falls awkwardly, but his progress is impressive; his spirit, remarkable.

All this care has had great results, but the costs are staggering at nearly 14 thousand dollars. It's a price doctor Leadbeater says he's splitting with his owner.

"We have a big heart. We're not keeping the meter running."

With so many injuries and no one to claim him, I asked Dr. Leadbeater why he didn't euthanize Nathan.

"That's always an easy answer. But I think when you see Nathan playing now, you'll really understand why euthanasia really didn't come into question for us or the Samaritan."

It was a twist of fate that changed this dog's life forever. The good Samaritan will probably keep Nathan, but if he cannot for some extenuating circumstances, Nathan will still have a home with one of women who has helped nurse him back to health.

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