Chetz (Arrow), a dog from Ness Ziona who was severely wounded in an Iranian missile strike during Operation Rising Lion, has spent the past year recovering with his family by his side.
In June of 2025, an Iranian missile struck the Levi family’s next-door neighbors, and Eran found his family’s beloved dog sprawled out and badly injured in the yard, with broken limbs and shrapnel embedded in his body.
“I thought he was finished,” Eran told Mako.
The team at the University Veterinary Hospital Beit Dagan in Rishon Lezion worked alongside Chetz for the full duration of recovery, and the lead vet even brought him home part of the time to oversee his treatment during the nights
“There was no real choice,” Dr. Talia Adler told Mako, “I couldn’t not help him.”
Chetz had to have his stomach opened in order to ensure every bit of shrapnel was removed, and had to be treated for four broken limbs.
Chetz wanted to live, and the vets wanted to help him
“At first, I'd have given him a low chance [of survival], but the more I got to know him, I saw he wanted to. He wants to live, he wants to fight. So let’s give him that chance,” Adler said.
Chetz went through half a dozen surgeries, with the city of Ness Ziona assisting partially with medical costs due to the dog being a victim of the war.
With Chetz having three legs, only two of which were functional, the Levi family turned to the 4 Legs Project for help.
The organization fitted him with a plastic brace that allows him to put weight on the third leg while preventing movement, allowing him to walk
“This dog is a fighter, he didn’t give up,” Eran said.