It had been a year ago, when Stray Rescue of St. Louis found a one-year-old dog they dubbed Lucky Charm who had been brutally shot with an arrow. Someone had been hunting him, and when struck with the arrow, it had penetrated his esophagus. And as if that cruel deed wasn’t enough, a bullet had struck him in his abdomen.
This complex surgery lasted 3-4 hours, but….he made it. The surgeons removed the arrow and stitched up both holes in his trachea and esophagus. By the next day he was eating his breakfast, and after spending a week in the hospital, Lucky Charm was released and moved to a foster home.
Fortunately Lucky Charm made a full recovery, and he has since been adopted and living his best life.
And NOW, almost a year later, another dog arrived at Stray Rescue of St Louis with an arrow deeply embedded in his shoulder. Luckily, the arrow had not hit any vital organs.
Meet Shy Guy, and when he arrived at the rescue organization just a few days ago, he was rushed to surgery.
Shy Guy had been in excruciating pain, and fortunately his surgery was also a success. Compared to how he felt when he arrived, and even though his shoulder is very sore while his muscles and stitches heal, he is making forward progress.
The staff at the hospital tell us Shy Guy is very scared, but who could blame him, considering what some unconscionable person decided to use this sweet dog as target practice.
We don’t think he’s ever been on a leash before, so we’ll work with him slowly so he doesn’t re-injure himself. Poor guy is covered head to toe in fleas and ticks.
Shy Guy’s beautiful eyes show us what a gentle soul he is. His caretakers have noted he enjoys being petted, has started giving “face kisses,” and is successfully learning to walk on a leash.
You can do this, Shy Guy, we are all on your side! We are so sorry this happened to you. It never should have.
Shy Guy, like so many other dogs rescued from cruelty and neglect, needs us to be his voice; the cruelty humans possess is so hard to comprehend. And yet fine organizations like Stray Rescue continue to clean up and right the wrongs of human cruelty every day.
With that being said, please also register to join in at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City on Humane Day, 4/15.
To donate to Shy Guy and other dogs in need of emergency care, please click here.
Read the story of Lucky Charm here.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
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