There are stories all over the news about 3-legged dogs that have beaten the odds and survived some type of accident. How many stories have you heard about 5-legged puppies on the verge of being put to sleep, though?
Duncan, a 7 week old Mastiff mix, had his life saved by FIDO's Companion Rescue. The person who had bred this puppy was not sure how to handle his deformity, and although the extra leg doesn't cause Duncan any pain or problems, he was going to be euthanized. Fido's rescue got the call, and were luckily able to find a foster home that could take the special dog. Michelle at FIDO was the one who got the call saying that the person who had the litter of puppies didn't know what to do and that Duncan was to be put down if they didn't get help. She said, "I just sat in disbelief, shook my head, took a deep breath and said we will take him."
Duncan's extra leg is not a full leg at all, but his front leg and the extra leg were split up and are like smaller versions of the rest of his legs. The vet clinic that FIDO's Companion Rescue works with looked over Duncan's condition, and their orthopedic vet thinks that once he is able to amputate both of these legs, Duncan will be able to live a normal, full quality life as a 3-legged dog.
On Friday, he was transported to his foster home with one of FIDO's volunteers, where he will wait until he is big and strong enough for his amputation surgery. His foster parents will also help him recover from his surgeries. He will also need to be vaccinated, neutered, and have a hernia repaired before he is able to be adopted out. Right now, he is too small for surgery, weighing only 7 1/2 pounds, so the surgery is scheduled for February 19. He will then need to recover and be neutered before he will be able to be adopted, but they're optimistic and say he will be able to be adopted to a forever home at the end of February.
Duncan's surgery, plus his neuter and required vaccinations, will cost around $1,500.00. FIDO's rescue is a 501 (c) 3 rescue that operates on donations and fundraisers, and they will be getting less than 15% of these vet costs back in Duncan's adoption fee of $200. So if you would like to help Duncan's cause, you can do any of the following:
1. Call West Park at 216-252-4500; ask for Anna or Lucy and make a credit card donation on our account.
2. Make a secure Paypal donation to FIDO's Companions
3. Mail a check to FIDO at PO Box 518, Avon, OH 44011
Duncan has a long road ahead of him of recovery, but being a 3-legged dog will not be much of an adjustment for him, since he can't use his two deformed appendages now anyway. It might even be easier for him to move around without the awkward front legs. He's going to be a big boy, so it is lucky that he found the people at FIDO's Companion Rescue so early so that he can properly adjust and start his life the right way.
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