Whisper
March 22nd, 2010, 10:07 PM
BERRIEN COUNTY —
The luck of the Irish was with two dogs rescued on St. Patrick's Day in Benton Harbor. The stray dogs were brought into the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan and immediately taken to a local animal hospital.
Unfortunately, the dogs were in such terrible condition the humane society didn't know if they had the money pay for all the medical care the dogs needed.
But the community stepped up.
Just a few days ago, Chance was on the verge of death. The terrier-mix was brought into the Humane Society Wednesday by a man who worked in the area and found him on the side of the road. He was severely emaciated, covered in sores, heartworm positive, with a broken and infected leg and in severe pain.
"My first thought really was we should put this dog out of it's misery and maybe euthanize him. And then I started handling him," said vet Holly Shaffer. "He wants to be affectionate with you" despite all he's been through.
Chance was brought to the Two by Two Animal Hospital in Berrien Springs.
At first the humane society didn't know if there was enough money to treat Chance.
Then, Fiona, another dog, arrived. She was brought to the Humane Society by a police officer who found her wandering.
Fiona was also in bad shape with internal injuries and broken teeth. Even though both dogs could barely get around, they were stealing hearts throughout the community.
"We were overwhelmed emotionally with the condition of the dogs and after that overwhelmed with response from community," said Jill Svoboda, Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan in Benton Harbor director.
Money started pouring in. In just one day the shelter had enough money to pay for treatment for both dogs.
Chance underwent surgery to remove his infected leg. Fiona is undergoing tests to determine what type of internal injuries she might have. Both will soon start heartworm treatments.
"I think his future is going to be pretty bright," Svoboda said about Chance.
"She is improving already and she has a wonderful personality as well. She loves humans," Shaffer said about Fiona.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the humane society has seen dogs in this condition. Because of the overwhelming community support, more dogs like Chance and Fiona will receive much needed TLC.
[...]
So far the shelter has raised $5,655 to care for the dogs. The goal is $7,000. And while the journey is far from over, it will be happier tails from here on out.
If you would like to donate to help these dogs and other like them visit:
www.firstgiving.com/givehimachance
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/88736567.html
http://i39.tinypic.com/2807gyh.jpg
Veterinarian Holly Shaffer, of the Two By Two Animal Hospital in Berrien Springs, comforts Chance, a roughly 1-year-old terrier mix that was one of two badly stricken dogs turned over Wednesday to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan in Benton Harbor. The dog's left front leg was so badly infected it had to be amputated.
The luck of the Irish was with two dogs rescued on St. Patrick's Day in Benton Harbor. The stray dogs were brought into the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan and immediately taken to a local animal hospital.
Unfortunately, the dogs were in such terrible condition the humane society didn't know if they had the money pay for all the medical care the dogs needed.
But the community stepped up.
Just a few days ago, Chance was on the verge of death. The terrier-mix was brought into the Humane Society Wednesday by a man who worked in the area and found him on the side of the road. He was severely emaciated, covered in sores, heartworm positive, with a broken and infected leg and in severe pain.
"My first thought really was we should put this dog out of it's misery and maybe euthanize him. And then I started handling him," said vet Holly Shaffer. "He wants to be affectionate with you" despite all he's been through.
Chance was brought to the Two by Two Animal Hospital in Berrien Springs.
At first the humane society didn't know if there was enough money to treat Chance.
Then, Fiona, another dog, arrived. She was brought to the Humane Society by a police officer who found her wandering.
Fiona was also in bad shape with internal injuries and broken teeth. Even though both dogs could barely get around, they were stealing hearts throughout the community.
"We were overwhelmed emotionally with the condition of the dogs and after that overwhelmed with response from community," said Jill Svoboda, Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan in Benton Harbor director.
Money started pouring in. In just one day the shelter had enough money to pay for treatment for both dogs.
Chance underwent surgery to remove his infected leg. Fiona is undergoing tests to determine what type of internal injuries she might have. Both will soon start heartworm treatments.
"I think his future is going to be pretty bright," Svoboda said about Chance.
"She is improving already and she has a wonderful personality as well. She loves humans," Shaffer said about Fiona.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the humane society has seen dogs in this condition. Because of the overwhelming community support, more dogs like Chance and Fiona will receive much needed TLC.
[...]
So far the shelter has raised $5,655 to care for the dogs. The goal is $7,000. And while the journey is far from over, it will be happier tails from here on out.
If you would like to donate to help these dogs and other like them visit:
www.firstgiving.com/givehimachance
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/88736567.html
http://i39.tinypic.com/2807gyh.jpg
Veterinarian Holly Shaffer, of the Two By Two Animal Hospital in Berrien Springs, comforts Chance, a roughly 1-year-old terrier mix that was one of two badly stricken dogs turned over Wednesday to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan in Benton Harbor. The dog's left front leg was so badly infected it had to be amputated.