Sex: Male (unaltered)
Breed: Black Lab (maybe some mix, will have to wait for hair to regrow)
His Injuries
Mange; mangled and infected tail; heartworm positive; enlarged heart (due to heartworms); tongue is in bad condition, probably rope burns; both hind legs severly injured by rope, one with tendon exposed, BUT good pulse in both legs; MAY have injured eyelids on rope, too soon to tell.
His Story
Law enforcement officials suspect that the tied legs were in preparation for hanging the dog from a tree in order to gut him. Thankfully, somehow, Sparkle got away. He managed to climb a 100 ft. hill behind the Deering fire station and onto a porch.
Poor Sparkle was picked up and transported to the Proctorville Animal Clinic, where he began receiving immediate attention by the vet on duty. He tested positive for heartworms.
June 11, 2001
First thank all of you for your expressions of concern and your willingness to help with vet bills and even adoptions. Sparkle won't be ready for adoption for quite some time, but I promise you that each and every application will receive careful consideration by our board of trustees. As sad as we have been about Sparkle, it has been truly uplifting to see so many responses from all parts of the country, and even Canada. Now on with the update.
Now for news about Sparkle. He is now able to eat and drink on his own, and he is even walking outside for his potty breaks. He is still in very serious condition, and we are expecting a LONG recovery process. Today, he was visited by our webmaster, Jody Crowe, who took him a hamburger treat! Sparkle, as can be imagined, is still VERY timid. While he was outside he heard a car on some gravel and tried to dive underneath a parked car for protection. It's going to take a lot of TLC to get Sparkle to trust us humans again.
As I said earlier, so far the response has been overwhelming, but we are still accepting donations towards Sparkle's vet bill. This first round will be around $850 to $900, and he will undoubtedly have many follow-up visits. So far we have heard from Texas, California, Arizona, New York, Wisconsin, Canada, several within our state of Ohio, and probable many others who didn't give a city. For Sparkle, and all of us working so hard for him, we thank you, and ask that you keep him in your prayers.
June 12, 2001
Sparkle DID begin his heartworm treatments. The vet decided it would be best to let Sparkle's leg wounds air dry. He said that bandages would only keep the wound moist and not allow proper healing. As soon as Sparkle's open wounds heal, they will begin the dips for the mange. They have a cone on Sparkle's head now to prevent him from biting his wounds, but I seriously doubt he has the strength. He mainly just lies on the little comforter that his angel "Jody" took him yesterday. The vet is convinced that Sparkle now has a very good chance for a long, HAPPY and PAIN FREE life.
June 13, 2001
Today Sparkle continued to take walks outside for potty breaks. He ate all his breakfast, and is consuming slightly more water than usual. He managed a small tail wag for one of the techs, and laid down on his comforter and took a nap.
Donations can be sent to:
Lawence County Humane Society
P.O. Box 412
Ironton, OH 45638
To adopt Sparkle fill out the Adoption Application.