Drum roll please! Almost just a bad memory, Champ the intentionally starved dog, moved on to his medical foster home in Maryland on Saturday morning. For the next several weeks, while he continues his miraculous recovery, the 16-month-old Mastiff will be pampered and loved.
“The rumor mill is true! Champ is going to stay with me and Cakes for the next several weeks while he continues to recover. Me and Cakes can’t wait to show him the ropes and get him in the yard but until then, Mom and Dad said he needs time to decompress and get settled in and feel comfortable.
Champ is in good hands and is a total lovebug!”
Who can believe this is the Laurens, South Carolina dog barely two weeks ago, whose photo of the dog curled up in the dirt starving, near death and crawling with maggots went viral? Animal advocates were outraged as Champ’s terrible story of abuse and neglect unraveled:
“His heartbreaking story is that he is the victim of a breakup,” Rescue Dogs Rock NYC co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan posted on the organization’s social media page. “… since ‘he was not her dog’, she fed her dogs but not Champ.”
Are you wondering where Champ is being fostered? Think back to the beginning of 2017. An Isabella fawn and rust purebred Doberman had been brought into the county shelter in Kershaw City, South Carolina. He was severely injured, emaciated and scarred. Someone had cropped off his ears in an egregious home botched job, but that wasn’t the worst of it for this one-year-old dog. His back was completely bent over and contorted as he hobbled in pain. The shelter staff believed the clearly starved and abused puppy had escaped from the hell where he had been existing, and as he tried to eat a dead animal lying on the road to stave off his intense hunger, he had been struck by a car.
Rescue Dogs Rock NYC, and co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan came to Spencer’s rescue that day; the dog with a severed spine, and even though the costs to help him had been estimated to be extremely expensive, there was no hesitation to help:
“We took him because he was suffering, and he deserved to live,” Jackie posted to their followers on the rescue’s Facebook page. “It was the right thing to do, but we need your help. We put down a $3,000 deposit just to bring him in the front door. It is no wonder so many dogs can not be helped. In addition to the operation for his spine, his stomach is full of bones – which is another problem we will have to address.”
Spencer has since recovered and his amazing foster home (which became his permanent home) has now opened their doors to Champ. And with his orthopedic bed, Champ is getting settled in.
“We know there were lots of happy tears shed for this miracle boy as he moves on to the next stage of his journey. Onward and upward Champ! You got this!”
Read Spencer’s story here.
Spencer”s recovery was another miracle. Check it out:
It is because of so many generous people these extremely difficult rescues are possible. Help support Rescue Dogs Rock NYC.
Read previous coverage of Champ’s plight here.
And not to be outdone by Spencer’s story, check out Champ’s Sunday morning walk.
“Here is how Champ’s first day in a home went:
Champ had a variety of short walks yesterday, learning the neighborhood and we are happy to say he is able to quickly learn where he is living and is picking up on a routine. The other great news is that he is house broken. He ate 4x yesterday and continues to have a very healthy appetite. It is so true that when he wants to eat, he lets you know. Champ also had a meet and greet at the vet office yesterday and got an initial weigh in. He continues to gain weight and we will have a more detailed report after his vet appointment on Friday,” his foster family posted earlier Sunday morning.
Read more animal news on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.
More news: Puppy rescued from beneath suffocating blanket in 90 degree heat – more here.
Border collie gets so excited watching herself on TV – watch the adorable video here.
Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.
