The Dog Journal

DOG WHO HAD BULLET REMOVED FROM HEAD RECOVERS AND IS UP FOR ADOPTION -  “He never showed any aggression, was always the sweetest happy dog. He really just wanted to sit in your lap … even when he was hurt.”

A Pit Bull-Weimaraner mix named Ghost was discovered on the side of the road in Wyoming. Veterinarians had to perform surgery to remove a bullet from Ghost’s head. Fortunately, Ghost survived and is now up for adoption at the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter. Here’s more from the Rawlins Times:

A concerned passerby driving through Saratoga stopped to see if the dog was injured and notified the police. The dog, named “Ghost” by Fall, was brought to Carbon County Veterinary Hospital in Rawlins where veterinarians removed the bullet from behind his right ear.

A few inches to the left, lower, or forward and Ghost would have died, veterinarian Katie Flock said.

“We frequently get animals that have been shot,” Flock said.

Ghost arrived at the shelter Feb. 12 with a clean bill of health after weeks at the hospital, Fall said, and is considered a special needs animal.

Ghost is timid around people but has taken a liking to officer Fall and another shelter volunteer, Fall said. He won’t take treats from people…

Around strangers, Ghost is shy to approach, but with a little coaxing he quickly licks your hand or face and wags his tail before running away.

Ghost is certainly one tough dog who deserves a second chance at happiness. Click here for the full story and here for more about the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter. (Photo from the shelter’s Facebook page)

DOG GIVES BIRTH TO PUPPIES AND AVOIDS EUTHANASIA - “In early August as morning dawned on what was to be the last day of her life, an unwanted dog in the small Bogalusa animal shelter experienced the miracle of giving birth. Eleven of the 13 pups survived.”

A Weimaraner mix gave birth to a litter of puppies on the day she was scheduled to be euthanized.  Fortunately, some room opened up at the shelter at the last minute and she was not put to sleep.  Later, after a coordinated effort by many people, the dog and her new puppies were transported by volunteers from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue to a foster home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Read more from gobogalusa.com:

The injections that would have eased the new family beyond this life were put aside for the moment…Bogalusa Animal Control Officer David Kellis does not like to put dogs down, but there are often too many for the space, and although local animal groups pull some out to foster and try to get adopted, they, too, can only find homes for a small percentage of those in need…

Thanks to a caring Animal Control officer, animal advocates both nearby and across the country, and, yes, to social media that helped get the word of their plight to those who could and would act to save them, the Bogalusa dozen arrived safely in Minnesota two days after Flick handed them over and waved goodbye.

Many dogs are still being put to sleep in shelters, but this particular mother and family now have a second chance at life. Hopefully they all find permanent homes soon. Click here for the full story. (Photo by Marcelle Hanemann)

DOG SAVED FROM DEATH AND REUNITED WITH FAMILY - “Unable to afford emergency care, the family turned their injured dog over to the SPCA to be euthanized…But the dog they believed dead turned out to be very much alive and on Saturday, they were reunited with their beloved pet.”

Kayla, a Weimaraner, was severely injured after falling onto a spike in her yard. Kayla’s owners tried to take care of her but Kayla’s health rapidly deteriorated. Having no money for surgery, the owner’s brought Kayla into the Central California SPCA and asked that she be put out of her misery.  However, staff at the CCSPCA were moved by Kayla’s story and restored her to health at no charge.  Here’s more from the CCSPCA website:

When she came in, Kayla, was near death with a four-day-old puncture wound to her chest and Mr. Martinez, didn’t have the money to pay a veterinarian. Mr. Martinez was very grateful that the staff was so supportive when he came in to drop her off and that they listened to him through his tears when he hugged Kayla and said, “I’m sorry. I’m poor, and I hope you can forgive me.” Kayla wanting to comfort him licked his face…

The creativity of our Veterinarian, Dr. Byrd, added to her individual needs for surgery and for healing properly. Everyone who worked with her while she was here noticed that she just kept looking for something or someone. She was patient with our staff that cared for her, medicated her, checked her, fed her, fell in love with her, however, she was still looking…

Our front desk team member had the honor of making the surprising call to the Martinez family. They knew it would be a shock, however a welcome one. The excited disbelief cannot be described. 

Thanks to the CCSPCA, Kayla was brought back from the brink of death and returned to her shocked, but joyful, family.  The range of emotions experienced by Kayla’s family must have been intense. Click here for the full story and here for the news video from KFSN TV.