The ditch to riches story of a puppy named Fresno

Via the Dog Writers Association of America email list, the story you'll find when you look up "heartwarming" in the dictionary:

Fresno is a 4.5 month old puppy who was shot in the shoulder and left in a ditch to die in Fresno, California. After four days of people driving by the ditch thinking the pup was already dead, someone noticed that he moved his head. In one of the pics from his rescue we can see by his contorted position that this poor puppy held himself up with one front leg so that he did not drown in the ditch.



Carly Banks and Jana Huey came to the rescue of Fresno (Our heroes!). They pulled him from the ditch and arranged to have a vet examine and x-ray him. The vet determined that Fresno had a fractured femur (rear leg) and at least three fractures to his pelvis/hip. The estimate for his surgeries was $6000. The women posted an ad on Craigs List trying to find help for Fresno and someone from German Shepherd Rescue saw their ad and posted it on a national GSD group list. From there, Paula Lynch from Oregon GSD rescue in Forest Grove saw the post and called to ask if we (Indigo Rescue) could help.

After the folks at Indigo Rescue got involved, they got help from their "fantabulous vet, Dr. Mark," and had Fresno shipped via Alaska Air for surgery. Eric Taylor, a reporter from KOIN-TV, convinced Alaska to waive the cost of Fresno's flight. Fresno had his expensive and complicated surgery, paid for by dog lovers contacted via Craig's List, various German Shepherd rescue groups, and the good folks at IMOM.org, who raised around $3000 for his veterinary bills. Media exposure generated $1500 in donations, and one group of dog lovers held a car wash in the town of Fresno and raised another $700.



Indigo Rescue reports that Dr. Mark told them, "Fresno will need some rehabilitation for the contracture happening in his muscles and he'll definitely have arthritis in his hip, but he says there's no reason to believe he won't lead an excellent life."

In the end, many people have come together to help this one little pup who somehow ended up discarded in a ditch by a road. We'll never know exactly what happened to Fresno that resulted in his ending up in that dreaded position, but what we do know is that there are people who really care and it just took a few people taking a chance and being willing to go out of their way a little to save his life.

Full story here. And they have video, showing his recovery as of three days ago:

Comments

[Deb]

Wow! What a heartwarming story and happy ending this little Terv!

[LauraL]

What a fabulous story! He's gorgeous!



I only wish it didn't take a gunshot and news coverage to get people to open their hearts and their wallets to save pets.

[Maureen]

What a great story about Fresno and all the dog lovers who opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help him. Like Deb, the first to post here, I also think that Fresno is a Belgian Tervueren -- at least a Terv mix.



I adopted a scrawny young brown dog who had been found on the streets. She was terrified and jumpy, biting the ankles of anyone who approached her. Some confidence-building months later, and after a better diet, she emerged as a gorgeous tawny and black Tervueren mix, smart, funny, and, like Fresno, unbelievably forgiving of humankind.

[Christie Keith]

I know, Laura, but on the other hand, we moan so much about irresponsible pet owners and so on, it's also good to realize how many caring people there are out there, helping animals who need it.

[Heather Hines]

Hi, I'm the foster for Fresno. I've been doing his rehab and watching his amazing progress as he's emerged from a painful, quiet and unresponsive puppy to a happy, playful, frolicking puppy. He really is a trooper.



Now, he's available for adoption and we're looking for the most compatible match we can find for him. We believe he's a Terv mix with possibly a Sheltie. He is small, weighing less than 35lbs at six months old. His feet are also small so we don't believe he'll grow more than another 10-15lbs possibly less. His coat is very like a Sheltie also, medium length, soft and glossy. His personality is like a Husky, sweet, but independent. Not a lot of eye contact but very affectionate and flirty. He would not be a good off-leash dog as he wants to run and ignore you!



Fresno is posted on Petfinder and you can see his bio at: www.indigorescue.org click Adopt a Rescued Pet. Thanks for your support!