No name is all heart and needs a loving home

by SABINA DeGIACOMO
Sun Columnist & Veterinarian
*Archived May 2006 article

By the time we were presented this urchin, his entire lower forearm, wrist and paw were twice their normal size and putrid with infection. However, he was still loving and never tried once to bite, growl or pull away, even when we manipulated this leg. We tried for four months and spent thousands of dollars in antibiotics, sedatives, bandaging material and staff time to try and get rid of the infection and save that leg. The infection however was too deep and too intense. Eventually he became physically sick and was running a fever. The decision was made to remove the leg. We thought that would be the end of his drama, but it wasn't. Perhaps because of his intense confinement as a puppy or perhaps because of a physical disorder called panosteitis or both, No Name was so weak that even though he had three other legs, he had an awful time walking. X-rays of his hips suggested pretty problematic hip dysplasia. We thought that we were going to have to have a board certified surgeon correct his pelvis.

But, with two months of regular walking by three or four very faithful grade school volunteer dog walkers and the staff's persistence, No Name is not only walking, he's running now to chase kids, and other dogs and cats who are willing to play with him. The surgeon feels his hips have improved vastly and that he will likely require no surgery just "exercise, exercise, exercise..." So, if you have the ability to walk or swim this guy to keep him fit and the heart to hug and kiss him constantly, we welcome your adoption application!

Also, we have a number of other animals, including cats and rabbits, on our newly developed website, www.acfanimals.org which also has our adoption application conveniently available for downloading and printing.