The 3-year-old German shepherd was literally hours away from death. His emaciated body couldn't even support his head anymore as he collapsed in the dirt and waited to die. For five weeks at least, the dog was left alone, chained up outside, without food or water. Five weeks. Eating nothing but dirt, debris and rocks. Drinking nothing but the occasional raindrops.
And now, he's on the road to recovery, graduating from intensive medical care and a near-death status to a full belly and loving foster home in just over a week.
Courage is the name given to this dog by German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, the local rescue group that is serving as his guardian angel. Day by day, Courage makes remarkable progress, going from feedings with a syringe to standing up, barking and wolfing down bowls of calorie-high and enzyme-rich food 24/7. He arrived at the hospital nothing but skin and bones, weighing in at 37 pounds. A German shepherd of his stature should be tipping the scales at nearly 80 pounds.
"This is a dog that just refused to die," said Maria Dales, founder and lead volunteer with GSROC. "This is how he got his name….hour after hour, day after day, week after week he went without sustenance, which must have been painful, confusing, frightening. I can’t imagine how much his belly must have hurt him. Had he not been chained, his natural instincts would have allowed him to escape or to forage for food, but his captor deprived him of a means to survive. Yet his will to live kept him fighting. He has defied the odds of survival and he is rebounding much faster than expected."
The story began to unfold on April 7. A Good Samaritan, who wishes to remain anonymous, knew about the dog's plight and got him out of his situation at the 11th hour. Details on exactly where Courage was and even what Los Angeles-area city he lived in are still a bit hazy. But what is known is that after the first person got Courage, he or she passed the dog on to another unnamed Good Samaritan, who transported him to Community Veterinary Hospital in Garden Grove, Calif. From there, GSROC entered the picture, raising funds and providing intensive love and guardianship over the dog.
In fact, it may cost upwards of $7,000 to get Courage mended completely, and GSROC donors have already raised that amount to help him, said Dales.
"We are asking that if people still wish to donate that they direct it to another emergency care case either with our rescue or another rescue in his name," she said.
Someone affiliated with GSROC has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in this case. Many calls flooded in with tips—some very credible, said Dales. According to both Dales and animal control officials at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority, a suspect is under investigation. Dales confirmed it was a Bellflower, Calif., resident, and the Orange County Register reported it was a 26-year-old woman who officials are not identifying. But it was stated that felony charges will be pursued. Dales announced today to the OC Dog Examiner that an arrest is imminent.
"I am afraid to say it, but I think that animal neglect is much more prevalent than we would like to believe," said Dales. "It’s a dirty secret that doesn’t always come to light unless someone courageous steps up. Unfortunately, as I look at Courage’s case, I ask myself how many others are out there without a guardian angel to step in on their behalf. Dogs trust us unconditionally. It’s just devastating to know someone that Courage trusted did this horrible thing to him."
Courage isn't looking back, only forward.
"He doesn’t seem to know that he’s supposed to rest," joked Dales. "Throughout this entire ordeal, he has been a model patient. You would expect a chained dog to be somewhat grouchy, but so far, he has not shown aggression."
In fact, Courage is showing nothing but spunk. Well, that and a voracious appetite. Each day he progresses a bit more. He's off of IV fluids, on to solid foods and is getting massage and physical therapy to help heal his body and rebuild muscle tissue. Each day was spent at the animal hospital, and each night was spent at the home of a vet tech so he had around-the-clock care and monitoring. GSROC volunteers arrived each day to spend time cuddling and petting Courage. Less than a week after being rescued, Courage took his first baby steps and continued to eat everything in sight.
On April 15, he proved once again why people are calling him the Miracle Dog. Courage progressed so significantly, he was discharged from the hospital and went into a GSROC foster home for further recovery.
"[He's a] very happy boy, very appreciative," said Dales. "[He] wonders what all of the fuss is all about. He has a very strong will, which obviously kept him alive."
UPDATE:
4-16-10: Animal-abuse suspect Kimberly Nizato worked in an Orange County veterinary hospital.
Comments
that is one beautiful baby!!!!!!! i hope they get whoever did this to her and starve them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy to read that Courage is on the road to recovery. I hope that owner is not only in heaps of trouble, but has a terribly guilty conscience too!
I love this story and so happy it had a happy ending! I hope justice is served. What type of person leaves a dog to starve with such neglect. I wonder if this person who did this would approciate the "like" neglect and treatment. I would guess probably not. Thank you kindly for writing this story.
Hooray for Courage! Thank you for covering his story.
Very happy to see Courage's progress. What a sweetie. AND so vocal too. Keep getting stronger Courage. We are all praying for your full recovery. You will never go hungry again little buddy!!!!
Finally an animal happy ending.....
It's amazing the recovery that Courage is showing!! It's his will to live and his forgiveness to humans that has been such an inspiration to us all!! Go Courage!!!
She is such a beautiful gal. I just can't understand why some people out there could do such horrible acts on any animals. They give so much to our life and all they ask in return is love, I hope they find this person. Courage, I wish you well and hope some nice family will give you a great home fill with love. :-)
Keep up the great coverage of Courage'recovery. I will follow with great interest and would like to include Courage in a dog heros calendar to raise money for shelters/rescues that are included! God Bless the Community Veterinary Hospital in Garden Grove, Calif. and GSROC.
Thank you for keeping track of this story I am so happy that Courage is in such good hands now. I love his videos he seems to be such a sweetie. I am so happy that he was rescued.
I hope the person who did this gets charged to the fullest extent. We need to have stronger animal cruelty laws.
Oh my gosh, and to think that this poor little guy was one of the LUCKY ones. What is wrong with people, seriously?? I grew up with German Shepherds, so this story really struck a chord with me. Thanks for posting it, and I am SO SO glad it had a happy ending. Please, let us know what happens.
Poor dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this person gets so much pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We will pray for you Courage. May God bless you and heal your pain. We love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is surely stolen my heart and every day I look for updates on this precious gal.............SHAME on the person who neglected this poor baby!! :oP
German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County is an amazing organization - we adopted two of our three shepherds from them, and I can't say enough good things about GSROC. If you're considering getting a dog, and if a German Shepherd is the right breed for your family, please visit their website and take a look at the gorgeous dogs they have available for adoption.
You are angels for saving him ! What a beautiful dog..with an amazing spirit. He deserves the very best of care and it looks like he is getting that. Special Thanks to all of the people who have helped him. I'm sure he is very grateful : )
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