Bo is a wonderful and sweet lab mix that was rescued in Girard GA. We received the below e-mail as a plea for help:
“There are three precious 5-6 month old puppies who have been obviously DUMPED in Girard, Ga. They are running the rd.’s in this small rural South Ga. town looking for food and someone to take them home. Sadly this will not happen here. I am a rescue overwhelmed with stray and abandoned animals here and am sadly out of space. I feel so sorry for them and have been taking them food and water. I was at the local convenience store on Friday night. There were lots of people getting gas and these poor babies were coming up to them for a pat on the head or petting or a piece of their hot dog. They were screaming at them, hitting at them to get away from them and even saw a few looking at them like they would make great bait dogs. Some of the people there I was familiar with their faces and know what part of town and “sports” they participate in. I just cried…what do I do? It’s hard to sleep knowing these babies are out there and I know we are all packed to the gills with stray, and abandoned animals but am hoping someone has space for these three pups. They are gorgeous, and have beautiful shinny black coats. (I know, MORE BLACK DOGS right?) I looked at their coats and there is strangely NO FLEAS!! Two females and one male. Lab mixes…probably all siblings.They are extremely friendly and sweet as the day is long, especially long for them I am sure…can anyone help? I am sick over this!!
Thanks for reading and please pass this along…It’s getting beyond BAD here in this county which has NOTHING in place it’s animals in need.”
From the time of the original e-mail the pups continued to live at the convenience store begging for food. Sometimes they would run off but they would always come back to each other. Bo and his two sisters were all rescued. Unfortunately not before Bo and his sis Clover were both hit by cars. The third sister was taken in by a rescue and quickly adopted. Clover had surgery on her jaw in GA, she arrived here November 3rd and is looking for her own forever home The night that Bo was rescued his rescuer wrote:
“I have the dog here with me now as of last nite. Some dude at a house where I found him said he was going to take him home with him…OH NO..I told him he was MY dog and I was taking him with me. They were having a party and he was obviously eating scraps there…after i got him home he was so bloated he threw up plastic caps from gallon jugs, plastic rings from containers and God only knows what kind of meat that was!!”
Bo is in our care now. He is in a wonderful foster home who will take great care of him until he is ready for adoption. Bo was seen by an orthopedic specialist and it was determined that one of his front legs needs to be amputated. It was broken below the elbow and it of course didn’t heal properly. The bone healed twisted and the growth of that bone was stunted so it is now too short, making it impossible to repair. Poor Bo already has arthritis in his leg (at only 7 – 9 mos of age) so we must do what is right for him and amputate the leg so he can live a normal pain free life. Even with all the tragedy and pain in his young life Bo is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. He loves everyone he meets and lives his life to the fullest. Bo is grateful for his second chance.
UPDATE: 11-6-12
On Tues, Nov. 6th, Bo went to Grayslake Animal Emergency and Treatment Center to have his severely injured and painful leg removed. The surgery was performed by their orthopedic specialist. The surgery went well. Bo remained at AETC overnight so that their 24 hour staff could carefully monitor and manage his pain and surgery site. Bo is a trooper and did well in recovery. Bo went home with his foster mom on the evening of Nov 7th.
Bo’s recovery has gone very well and on Saturday, Nov 10th, he had laser therapy treatment at TOPS Veterinary Rehabilitation in Grayslake on his surgery wound. The laser therapy reduces inflammation and pain and stimulates healing. His surgery site is healing very nicely. He does have some swelling, but actually to a lesser degree than one would expect with an amputation, so that is good news for Bo. Bo did great at his therapy sesssion! He had wags and kisses for everyone! He is such a wonderful dog. Everyone at AETC and TOPS loves him and comments on what a special dog he is.
Unfortunately, it was determined that Bo has very mild hip dysplasia in both hind legs. Since his hind legs will be especially important to Bo, having lost a front leg, every effort is being made to preserve the integrity of his joints and strengthen his hind legs. He will undergo exercise therapy at TOPS when he is ready. He has already been started on joint supplements per recommendation of the vet at TOPS.