Dog News

Emaciated Puppy Pulls Through After Being on Death’s Door

by Katherine

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On October 30, 2014, South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) in Chicago Height, Ill., came to the aid of a three-month-old, hound mix puppy found abandoned in a milk crate. The dog weighed 9 pounds when he should have weighed close to 25 pounds. Thanks to a Good Samaritan, the almost dead dog is alive and recovering today.

Phoenix when found. Photo Credit: South Suburban Humane Society
Phoenix when found. Photo Credit: South Suburban Humane Society

 

A Chicago Heights resident found the malnourished dog, now named Phoenix, near his house and immediately took the pet to SSHS hoping they would be able to save him.

“I took one look at him and sank to my knees,” SSHS CEO Emily Klehm told NBC Chicago. “We took one look at him and knew he was in severe danger. This condition doesn’t happen overnight, this is months of neglect and abuse.”

Phoenix was so weak he couldn’t regulate his body temperature or walk. Worse of all, he had a large mass blocking part of his intestine and he needed emergency surgery.

Thanks to the medical attention he received and the support from the community, Phoenix has made a miraculous recovery. It will be a long road, but veterinarians are optimistic the young dog will pull through and be 100% healthy.

Phoenix feeling better. Photo Credit: South Suburban Humane Society
Phoenix feeling better. Photo Credit: South Suburban Humane Society

 

HHSH says what helped the most in Phoenix’s recovery has been the positive energy and well wishes he received. When he was found, the organization asked their Facebook community to keep Phoenix in their prayers. They posted the hashtag #LoveForPhoenix and thousands of people responded.

“People saw his pic and immediately fell in love with him,” Klem said. “Our Facebook page had over 100,000 people engaged with it.”

The dog will be available for adoption once he is healthy, however, only local foster families will be eligible to adopt him.

If you are interested in fostering to adopt him, you can send an email to [email protected].