Brother Can You Spare A Dime?

***Warning***

This is not an easy story to read and I am including pictures that are NOT easy to look at, especially for those who love pets. I read about this poor dog last week in the AJC and felt compelled to donated to help this poor animal. This afternoon I just received my sponsorship certificate and an update on Sparky. I am so glad I donated to help Sparky, especially in light of poor Maxine's death. Pet's depend on their humans and sometimes we fail them, and other times the humans in question should be shot. I am pretty sure most of you will agree with this.

Sparky is a 1 year old, 28 pound Terrier mix. He's cute as a button, and very sweet, which makes it all the harder to believe that a "human" would intentionally inflict such horrific injuries on a helpless dog. Sparky was tied to the bumper of a car by his leash and dragged behind the vehicle on July 26th. He survived when his head slipped out of the collar, and he was quickly picked up by passers by who took him to Animal Control. This is the second dog we've had with these types of injuries, and from the same county. (The first incident was in January 2007, involving our Winston who can be seen on the Toy Dog Page.)

Sparky was taken to a veterinary clinic where he received immediate attention for his massive abrasions, many to the level of bone or muscle. The pads on all four feet are gone, as are the toenails and the tops of his feet, and extending up his forelegs. All four are bandaged, and will need to be changed twice a week and his wounds cleaned. Fortunately, Sparky will be under anesthesia so he won't feel the pain. He has staples holding the skin over some areas where he has open wounds, but where the skin is gone, he's exposed to the elements. Most of his wounds are weeping and infected. He's been given a pain patch to help manage his horrific pain at this time, and he's taking lots of antibiotics to try to get the infection under control.

The doctors at Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic have taken over Sparky's care for now. The staff cannot believe that he is able to walk and show interest in the world in his condition.

Sparky will probably need skin grafts once the infection is under control, but for now, he is living on the line, happy to be alive, but flirting with death because of the great risk of infection overtaking him.

Sparky will need months to heal, and the estimates for his overall medical care are in the $6,000-$8,000 range. We have created a "Sparky's Fund" to pay for medical care for dogs with extraordinary illnesses or injuries. If you'd like to contribute, please click HERE.

You will need to enter Sparky's name as your pet of choice to sponsor and Atlanta Pet Rescue does except paypal. Sparky will need skin grafts, providing he survives the initial healing phase. Every penny counts, even 5 bucks. It all adds up to giving this poor dog a fighting chance and keeping places like Atlanta Pet Rescue open.