Courage update: Celebrate the recovery of Courage through his new 2011 calendar

Orange, CA – “Courage,” the now famous Southern California German Shepherd, who once weighed a frightening 37 lbs due to severe neglect and several weeks of starvation, has now rebounded almost completely, weighing in at a whopping 85 lbs, his goal weight. He and his many supporters, including those at German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, are celebrating by inviting everyone to enjoy the 2011 Courage calendar.

The loving and optimistic 3 year-old dog was originally found in the garage of a Bellflower home belonging to 26 year-old Kimberly Nizato and her parents. A concerned citizen, now identified as Lisa Whiseant, a receptionist at Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic in Garden Grove, stepped up to the dog from the Nizato residence, taking him to the clinic in Garden Grove where she works. He was treated by Dr. David Weber overnight, reports The O.C. Register. X-rays revealed the dog’s intestines were severely obstructed by rocks and debris. Matter he desperately ingested in an attempt to stay alive.

Nizato was arrested on April 16 and charged with felony animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of failure to provide proper care for her animal companion. Nizato, once an employee of Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Irvine has denied all claims made against her.

While Nizato’s preliminary court hearings continue to play out in court (the next rescheduling has been moved to September 14, Department 4), Courage continues to shine. He has a loving permanent home, a playful canine step-brother and high quality food in bowls that never go empty. His success is due in large part due to the life-saving efforts of Dr. Bill Grant at Community Veterinary Hospital in Garden Grove, and German Shepherd Rescue Orange County (GSROC), the non-profit rescue group who took in the emaciated canine and worked over-time to help nurse him back to health and network support and donations to cover the cost of his urgent medical expenses.

Now, Courage fans can appreciate his heroic recovery every day through a new 2011 Courage Calendar being offered through Zazzle.com for $24.25. The breathtaking photos were taken by Southern California photographer Sherri Regalbuto. Proceeds from the the calendars will benefit GSROC so they can assist more dogs with critical needs. 

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County is a 501c3 organization (EIN #20-3455479) serving Orange County, Greater Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and more. It relies entirely on donations in order to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home more than 400 purebred German Shepherd Dogs each year. For more information about German Shepherd Rescue email info@gsroc.org.

Follow Courage’s journey to recovery: Previous Courage articles:

• German Shepherd "Courage" victim of cruel abuse
  
• Courage discharged into foster home while police narrow in on suspect
  
• The startling culprit behind the starvation of Courage; a glimpse into her psyche
  
• Kimberly Nizato posts bail while Courage continues to heal
  
• Animal cruelty suspect Kimberly Nizato terminated from job following series of death threats
  
• Joy to world! Maria Dales of GSROC talks about the new Courage photos
  
• The People of the State of California v. Kimberly Nizato; writing the Deputy District Attorney
  
• Animal abuse suspect Kimberly Nizato pleads not guilty
  
• Sunny days ahead for the once starved Courage
  

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