On Sunday I drove 5 hours to adopt a dog named Barley. I was suspicious about the story of how he lost his leg, because his foster mom sent rapid fire emails with strange, run on sentences, sometimes not answering questions, sometimes ending the emails mid sentence, no sign off.
She said she thought he had his foot stuck in a chain and chewed it off but was picked up by local SPCA authorities so she didn’t really know. I contacted SPCAs in the three surrounding counties and no animal control officer had ever logged a dog with a missing paw in this time frame. One investigator said he would definitely remember because he is particularly fond of Mastiffs.
Foster mom said he does great on steps, gets around great, she gives him cattle heartworm medicine because it’s cheaper. (?)
What I found: First, after the long drive, the foster mom suddenly didnt want to meet. She said she had plans to go to the lake because I hadn’t confirmed. [I told her on Wed I was coming on Sat].
She finally agreed. The dog hobbled in, definitely straining. COVERED in ticks. Emaciated. Flea infested. Matted in some kind of feces. Been sleeping in a barn. [She said she gave him a bath — NO WAY]. She said she couldn’t find his Rabies documents OR his amputation surgical papers. What? How do you have a dog up for a adoption and not have his RABIES tag ready?
I had second thoughts about this dog. I would not have driven 5 hours to adopt a dog in this condition. But how could I turn around and send him home with this person? Who do you call to rescue a dog from a rescue?
I ponied up the money, and dealt with the smell and worried if he would survive the way home.
Pulled at least 25 ticks off.
He can’t or won’t leave the kitchen floor, except when I assist him down the stairs to pee. He has not pooped yet. He would not accept kibble, so I made a pot of chicken and rice. He took about a cup and half of that, but could not stand up for it. However, after eating, his tail wagged.
I am 110 pounds. He is probably 80. [We’re talking an adult male Mastiff]. Supporting him up and down stairs is breaking my back. I don’t know if he will live, but I’m not ready to give up on him yet. Not after the tail wag.
The following are photos since his adoption.