Wilder Atlas the Wonderdog

When Skye found Wilder, he was a tiny, lifeless body lying on the hot asphalt in the middle of the road. At first glance, she didn’t think he was alive. Miraculously he was, but just barely. Wilder had been hit by a car and left for dead, and the chances of him surviving the trip to the vet appeared slim. What followed was a whirlwind of rushing from one vet to another,  emergency surgery, a week in ICU, seizures, brain swelling, a severely broken leg, and a long, uncertain road to recovery. His brain injury left many questions—nobody knew how much he would recover, and only time would tell. When he came home from the hospital, Wilder was more like a human infant than a puppy. His future was uncertain, as he was blind, deaf, and unable to walk, stand, eat, or drink on his own. He cried all the time and the only comfort he found was in being held.

However, over time, Wilder Atlas made an incredible recovery. He had to learn to walk again, but now he runs and hops everywhere he goes! Although he remains deaf, he regained partial vision, though he still struggles daily with navigating doorways, gates, and stairs. He barks incessantly if Skye goes out of his reach, and his learning impairment is significant, but none of that matters. Wilder is a miracle—Skye’s baby boy and a beloved member of their family. He’s not just a dog; he’s their baby, a forever puppy, and the happiest, most silly little boy, who gets away with everything. He loves everyone, both animals and people alike, though he’s recently started barking at strangers as though he needs to protect his home. He’s best friends with his big sister, Lyra, and they’re often found playing or snuggling together.

Wilder has become the FPAS k9 ambassador and often attends events and family functions, as his separation anxiety means he’s seldom left home alone. Despite being deaf, Wilder almost always senses when Skye gets home and comes running to find her. His love for her is immeasurable, and even with all the animals she cares for, Wilder makes her feel the most cherished and needed. He sleeps with her every night, and their bond is truly undeniable. While they never would have expected a silly, deaf little Jack Russell mix to steal their hearts the way he has, he’s become such an irreplaceable  part of the family, and they couldn’t imagine life without their Wilder Atlas, the Wonder Dog.