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The saga of the abandoned dog that spent months sleeping at the spot where it was dumped, waiting for its owner to return, appears to be heading for a happy ending.
In short, the dog will be experiencing a real-life rags-to-riches story – dog style, anyway.
The dog was abandoned last March, possibly from a car or truck with a loud muffler, in a rural area near the Whitley-Allen County line.
Residents in the area eventually became accustomed to the dog and tried for months to catch it. The dog remained wary, though, and it wasn’t until last month that resident June Rawleigh managed to catch the animal.
In the couple of weeks since, the dog has been taken to veterinarians, who tested the animal for heartworm and had it neutered.
Last week, a veterinarian X-rayed the dog’s hips because it seemed to always hold one leg up when it ate. There was some concern the dog could have been hit by a car or have hip problems.
The X-rays showed it has no problems with its bones, but its body is loaded with buckshot. Apparently, Rawleigh said, someone shot it while it was running away, hitting the animal all over its body, particularly near the hips.
The veterinarian says the dog’s body will eventually build a shell around the pellets. Trying to remove the pellets would probably cause more trouble than just leaving them where they are.
Rawleigh is still mystified that anyone would have dumped the dog. He was practically a puppy when it was dumped. The dog is smart, sits when told, and when walking with a leash, it stops when the person holding the leash stops.
It actually behaves better than Rawleigh’s other dogs, which she has entered in dog shows.
"He’s a very proud animal," Rawleigh said. "It’s a miracle he survived getting shot and didn’t get infected."
The dog still gets excited when he sees a truck, Rawleigh said. "He’s still looking for something," she said. "In time, he’ll forget, hopefully."
Meanwhile, numerous people have asked to adopt the dog, and a family has been chosen to take the animal.
"I’m sure I’m going to regret not keeping him," Rawleigh said, "but he needs someone who can keep up with him, who can sleep with him."
The people who will be taking the dog – Rawleigh didn’t identify them – are retired, so they will be home to spend plenty of time with the animal. They were recommended by a veterinarian who has taken care of their other pets for years.
Also, Rawleigh said, they have no children, so what time and money they do have is spent on their pets.
"The vet says he’s going to be in doggy heaven," she said.
It’s a happy ending for one dog, at least, but there are plenty of other animals in the same situation. Among those who offered to help with the vet bills and possibly adopt the dog were people who say they routinely rescue animals that have been dumped in the countryside and are found half-starving.
Count this dog as a lot luckier than most.
