Tre-Joe or TJ as many know him, is a 14-month-old German shepherd and the victim of a hit-and-run. Unfortunately the individuals who hurt him did not bother to stop and help him, instead they left him in the middle of the road, injured and alone, abandoned to survive on his own.
TJ’s luck changed about a week later when Laura and Candance Long found him on a Livermore, Calif., street. They noticed he was dragging his front leg and was very scared and because they wanted to help the pet, the Good Samaritans contacted animal control.
An animal control officer was dispatched to rescue the dog and once the pet was safely captured, he was transferred to Tri-Valley Animal Rescue (TVAR).
Staff from TVAR contacted Bay Area German shepherd Rescue for help, and the GSD rescue organization did not hesitate to help the hit-and-run dog victim.
Once TJ was examined, veterinarians determined that the best thing they could do for him was to amputate his front leg. After spending two nights at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon, Calif., TJ went into foster care with Jacquie Owen and Geoff Eltrich.
Bay Area German shepherd Rescue tried to find TJ’s owner, but he did not have a microchip and no one ever came to claim him. Not having any humans to call his own and just having lost one of his legs, did not hinder TJ’s fun and lovable personality.
The now three-legged dog has had to learn how to walk on just three legs and with the help of his foster parents and his medical team, the rehabilitation process has been easier. Yet, to help him with the transition and to lessen the life-time impact he will place on his remaining three legs, TJ has been custom fitted with a pet wheel cart.
The hit-and run survivor is now looking for his forever family.
“TJ will be able to hop around his house and yard, but for walks, excursions, outings and exercise, he will need to be in his wheel chair,” said Bay Area German shepherd Rescue. “TJ’s new furever family will have to understand the wheel chair is a lifetime tool for him.”
To learn more about TJ or to inquire about adopting him, visit www.bayareagsr.org, call (855) 473-5683 or e-mail [email protected].
