Meet Champ the Chow Chow Jindo Mix - Pet Pardons pet of the day

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Pet Pardons organization put out a special bulletin Wednesday asking the public for their help in finding a home for a 1 and a half-year-old Chow Chow Jindo Mix named Champ who has only two days left before being put down and was abandoned in the woods for weeks with over 100 other dogs before being saved by rescue workers in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Champ is one lucky dog that has had the love and care of dedicated rescue workers who saved him from a terrible situation and have brought him back from the brink of death.  Workers have taken the time to go to great lengths to tell the story of Champ which is written in his own doggy voice.

My name is Champ. I am young adult, 40-pound Jindo mix. My tongue has really cool black spots so I guess I am a mix. 

One day my person left me and about 100 friends of mine without food, water or love in the woods at the end of a long dirt road. My fur was so filthy and, like most of the other dogs, I suffered from hair loss, flea infestation, malnutrition, dehydration and heartworm but I had a lot of love in me so I sat on the end of my chain in heat that often crept above 100 degrees waiting and watching the road. I just knew someone would come for me. I waited so long that my heart became desperate but I never lost hope. 

One hot afternoon, I heard trucks approaching. I jumped up and down and eagerly accepted head scratches from all the people who had come. I sniffed a nice lady for several minutes before deciding I liked her so much that I would try to pee on her to make sure everyone knew she was mine. She didn't like that very much but I apologized and promised never to do it again. She took me to clean place called a "shelter" in Salt Lake City, Utah where I am now. I have all the water I want and good food twice a day. I am starting to feel a lot better but the shelter people told me I have heartworm and need to get treated right away. I also need to get neutered. I don't know what that means but it must be great! The shelter people introduced me to other dogs but I didn't know them and I am used to having to defend my food from dozens of other dogs. I remember some friends I liked where I used to live and I don't think I will always be so untrusting but the people told me that I did not pass "the test". I still have a lot to learn but I am very willing. I just want a chance.

I have learned a little bit and have spent some time with the shelter people but not as much as I would like. I am in a different room from the other dogs who get visited by new people every day. Some of the dogs even get to go home with the people! I wish I could introduce myself to them. If they could only see how great I am maybe they could forgive me and help my heart get better. I am starting to get lonely again and I am scared because I heard a rumor that my "time is up" on Friday. The shelter people have been spending less and less time with me. They avoid looking at me and aren't giving me the medicine I need to get better because they don't think anyone will want me since I don't like other dogs. I just need someone who can help me manage my problem or help me learn to get better.

The Pet Pardons Facebook application has been responsible for the successful adoption of over 5,000 pets since its launch in December of 2010 and has amassed over 160,000 followers on Facebook who are ready to help advocate for an animal in need at a moment's notice.

Members of the Pet Pardons community are given daily Facebook bulletins and updates, allowing them to share the stories of pets in need or even take direct action to adopt or donate money to save the life of the pet. The reasons for how these animals end up in shelters are as numerous as the reasons why there are so many dedicated volunteers working hard every day to save innocent lives.

Pet Pardons allows its members to help pets by clicking the "Advocate" button on each pet’s profile, which places the pet’s bulletin on the user’s wall, allowing others to see the pet and advocate for it. As the number of shares increases, so do the chances of the pet being viewed by someone who can help or adopt.

Champ has recovered from many obstacles in his life and needs that last little bit of extra love and time from a caring family or individual to make his recovery complete.  He needs a little more time to get used to being around other dogs again but with some extra attention and understanding he will make it through.  

Pet Pardons educates the public about pet overpopulation, focusing on the importance of adoption and spay/neuter. By shining a light on the reality for shelter pets, people are becoming aware of the problem, and therefore, getting involved in the solution. As each amazing pet is featured, users are able to see their faces, connect with their stories, and advocate to save their lives.

Pet and animal advocacy can sometimes be a very emotional process.  Volunteers place animals into the Pet Pardons application in hopes that they will be adopted into loving homes, not so that the shelters will be targeted and harassed.  Please help the pets by not engaging in this type of behavior, as it hurts them far more than it helps them.

Champ currently has only 18 advocates on the Pet Pardons application, and could use some more, especially those who would be willing to supply transportation to a new forever home if needed.