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***WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO***

Appleton, WI -- It's a horrific case of animal abuse. A dog viciously beaten and left for dead. Now, nearly a year later, Sadie is making a remarkable recovery thanks to an outpouring of community support.

The photos are shocking. A dog savagely beaten with a chain. Her eye damaged beyond recognition.

"I've lost a lot of trust in people over the years from seeing what they can do to animals," said Cindy Filz, owner of Fur-Ever Friends Animal Rescue.

Cindy had to do something to save Sadie. We first met the injured German Shepherd nearly a year ago when she brought the dog from Illinois to Fur-Ever Friends Animal Rescue in the Fox Valley. Through television and Facebook, Sadie's story spread quickly.

"After being a police officer for 25 years, I've seen a lot of abuse, a lot of bad things. I'd never seen a dog abused like that before, ever. It was just so bad that I thought somebody has to help her," said Dan Tauber.

So Dan and his wife, Fawn, opened their hearts and their home in Appleton. After months of working with Sadie at the rescue, they decided to adopt her and continue nursing her back to health.

"I think it's awesome that people come together just to help a dog," said Fawn.

Through community fundraisers and donations, $11,000 was collected to pay for three surgeries to reconstruct Sadie's eye. The physical scars are fading and, slowly, the emotional wounds are healing too.

Cindy remembers, "When she came to me, I literally had to carry her around. She was so fearful. If she saw a person, she'd just drop to the ground, and now she's running around just like normal."

Sadie's success has been helped along by her new sisters, Vegas and Fiona.

"They really love each other," said Dan. It's amazing how Fiona is bringing Sadie out of her shell, and to watch that progress is fantastic."

Sadie's attacker was never found. But now in a loving home, her road to recovery looks very promising.

"It helps me a lot to gain faith back in people again. To realize that there are good people out there that will help and come out and do whatever for an animal when they need it," said Filz.

Sadie will never be able to blink her right eye, but the surgeries saved her vision. Now you can help her one last time by voting for Sadie in Pet Finder's "Luckiest Pet Contest" now through March 18th. If Sadie wins, Fur-Ever Friends Animal Rescue will receive $5,000 to help more animals in a similar situation. Just click on "Links" on this website to cast your vote for Sadie.