On a cold evening, March 12, 2001, a starving tan dog was found wandering
the streets of Lancaster, NH. In bad shape, he was desperate for something
to put in his empty stomach. With the ground in the North Country covered
by several feet of hard crusty snow, many wild and homeless animals
are finding it hard or impossible to find food. ”Tan dog”
a yellow lab mix was no exception. 
Hungry
and weak, “Tan dog” was caught by some kind people that
evening. He was brought to the local police station and then to the
no-kill Lancaster Humane Society. Thus began the brighter part of Tan
Dog’s story.
Tan
Dog was so hungry that he ferociously attacked the food the second it
was given to him. Mila Rizzo realized that they had to ration his food
carefully into several small meals, so his shrunken stomach could handle
it safely. Tan Dog also was very dehydrated and drank several bowls
of water the minute they were put down for him.
“Once again we were looking at a severely emaciated dog, and again
our reaction was one of shock, disbelief, anger, then great pity and
sadness for the Tan Dog…in that order. It just never gets easier.”
Said Rizzo, Director of LHS. “Then we got to work to save this
dog.” He appeared to be young intact male, a yellow lab mix. His
condition was skeletal with not much muscle left. And he was covered
with a multitude of bruises that “could be the result of repeated
abuse or severe long term malnutrition.” said Rizzo. “Mange
was ruled out after the dog was treated at the Veterinarian and skin
scrapings were done. His tail had a fresh wound underneath that was
a bloody mess where his skin was torn off. It almost looked like his
tail froze to the ground and was forcefully pulled away by himself or
some “nice” human. He was afraid of us at first but quickly
realized we were there to help him. We decided to name him Sunny.
That
evening Mila gave Sunny a few milk bones. “Sunny decided to put
them all in his mouth at once, chewing them, foaming at the mouth, dripping
little milk bone pieces all over the place and trying to smile, all
at the same time!” said Rizzo. After a complete veterinary check
up it was agreed Sunny was severely emaciated. He was put on antibiotics
and his tail requires treatment with a solution several times daily.
Sunny will need a lot of special care on a long-term basis before he
will get better. Thus, Sunny’s story will continue…
Today,
Sunny has become a strong dog, with a robust
build and gregarious personality. After
some trials, he has finally found a good
home. Lancaster Humane Society is asking
for your kindness in helping with donations
to save animals like Sunny and many others
who come to them in similar condition.
Sunny
recovered to a robust build and finally
found a good home with people who love him.
Sunny’s
disposition still shines thru!
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