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"Holly" The Lab Pup Gets Life-Saving Surgery

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CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – A Labrador Retriever puppy, who once had a bleak future, is getting a second chance at a healthy life.

Holly the Lab was born with a congenital defect that doesn't allow her to breathe or eat properly.

Instead of putting the puppy down, the breeder gave the dog away.

An animal rescue group took Holly to the Coral Springs Animal Hospital.

Holly is having the surgery Wednesday. Without the surgery, Dr. Lisa Radosta of Coral Springs Animal Hospital said the outcome would be bleak.

"She would die, there's no doubt because if you can't get air through your trachea into your lungs and you can't get food down to your stomach you can't live," Dr. Radosta said.

There is a slight chance that after surgery, Holly will be able to eat regular dog food—but it may have to in the form a smoothie, a dog food smoothie.

To follow Holly's progress, find out adoption information, or to donate to her care, go to the Chesed Dog & Cat Rescue Facebook page.

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