Picked up near the South Aldergrove Athletic Park a year back, Gonzo is a prime example of a how a neglected dog芒鈧劉s life can be turned around into a Furry Tail Ending.
91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) is preparing for its seventh annual fall fundraising dinner, dance, and auction that is aptly named the Furry Tail Endings Gala.
And Gonzo芒鈧劉s story is just one of the successes they芒鈧劉re going to be boasting about at the sold-out event happening Nov. 1.
It芒鈧劉s thanks to sponsors, donors, and staff that this event helps raise close to $85,000 annually for the Aldergrove-based animal shelter, Sean Baker, executive director for LAPS, said.
But it芒鈧劉s triumphs for pets like Gonzo芒鈧劉s that help inspire people to help and give, he added.
Turns out this 芒鈧揳wkward芒鈧 but 芒鈧揺ndearing芒鈧 pit bull was ill when he came into LAPS, Baker explained.
Sadly it is not uncommon for animals to come into the shelter sick or unhealthy, he elaborated. But the type and degree of Gonzo芒鈧劉s medical issues, combined with his determined spirit and will to survive, 芒鈧揹efinitely芒鈧 made him impossible to forget.
By Gonzo芒鈧劉s fourth visit to the animal shelter, he had already won the hearts of most of the LAPS staff.
His former owner had retrieved him several times, but finally, last fall the dog was surrendered to the shelter. Work immediately went about to remedy his health issues and find him a permanent, loving home, Baker explained.
芒鈧揥e were delighted when Gonzo was finally left with us, because he clearly wasn芒鈧劉t getting the love and care he needed,芒鈧 said the shelter head.
Gonzo had large bald patches all over his legs and body, and he was so itchy that every time someone touched him, he芒鈧劉d almost fall over trying to get them to scratch him, Baker said.
Turned out he was suffering from a bad skin infection that had gone untreated for a long time, and consequently required heavy duty antibiotics and medicated baths.
That cleared up, but unfortunately only turned out to be only a hint of his bigger health concerns.
It was the fainting spells that were much more concerning for the shelter staff, Baker said, explaining how Gonzo would fall over and be unable to move for several 芒鈧揾eart-stopping seconds芒鈧 at a time.
X-rays turned up a shocking discovery. While they still, to this day, don芒鈧劉t know why he was fainting, they did discover 42 pieces of metal in his stomach 芒鈧 he芒鈧劉d eaten a variety of screws and nails that were threatening his life and had to be surgically removed immediately.
Needless to say, Gonzo recovered and is believed to be metal free today. But the health woes don芒鈧劉t end there.
芒鈧揥hile all this was going on, Gonzo芒鈧劉s new family was waiting patiently for him to be well enough to go home with them,芒鈧 Baker said, noting how Rachele and Aaron Dunne first learned of Gonzo on Facebook and said they had to meet him.
芒鈧揟hey were looking for a dog who would be a great companion for their senior pit bull, Ricky, and who was sweet and friendly enough to go to work with them every day,芒鈧 Baker said.
Gonzo won them over too, despite his medical issues, and they have never wavered in their belief he was the right dog to join their family.
芒鈧揙nce in his new home, it was obvious Gonzo had a long way to go before he became a truly healthy dog. Even with devoted care, he suffered from chronic ear infections, struggled to keep weight on and had such weak hind legs that he could only go on very short walks,芒鈧 he said.
Turns out Gonzo also suffers from severe allergies to 芒鈧損retty much everything芒鈧 and requires a special diet.
Within weeks of changing up his diet, his problems began to clear up, and Baker said that today Gonzo doesn芒鈧劉t even look like the same dog.
芒鈧揘ow that he芒鈧劉s feeling great, Gonzo has come out of his shell and is tons of fun to have around. He loves taking leisurely walks, sleeping in on rainy days, and getting lots and lots of cuddle time. He learns more about the world every day, and is finally seeing how wonderful life can be,芒鈧 Baker said.
For those interested in finding out just how good life is for Gonzo, check this out! He has his own blog at: http://furevergonzo.blogspot.ca/
SUBHEAD 芒鈧 Auction items needed
The theme for this year芒鈧劉s gala is 芒鈧搕here芒鈧劉s no place like home,芒鈧 and in this takeoff from The Wizard of Oz combined with the event芒鈧劉s close proximity to Halloween, Baker expects many of the 460 people attending will be in costume for this year芒鈧劉s event.
While the event is sold out, Baker said much of his team芒鈧劉s efforts are currently focused on acquiring silent and live auction items that helps generate much of the night芒鈧劉s money.
To find out more about how to donate, people can call the shelter at 604-857-5055.