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A dog's tale of a Second Chance
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To donate

Donations to the Green County Humane Society's Reserve Medical Fund, or to the GCHS general fund, can be mailed to GCHS, N3156 Wisconsin 81 Monroe, WI 53566.

MONROE - He's a good boy, but he's a broken boy.

Chance is a Husky-mix puppy that was brought into the Green County Humane Society after being hit by a car Feb. 17. He was seriously injured, with a concussion, head trauma and two broken legs.

GCHS board member Rachel Schardt said the woman who accidentally hit Chance, on Center Road in Monroe, was very kind and helped get Chance the care he needed quickly. The driver called the Monroe Police Department, which took Chance and his mom Izzy, who was found with the pup, to the animal shelter.

Brown-eyed Chance came into the shelter with blood coming from his mouth and his eyes clamped shut in what could only be characterized as pain. The injured dog was in for a slate of surgeries to mend multiple fractures in a back and front leg if the board made the decision not to euthanize. The caramel-colored pooch could have been deemed too injured to try to save, but since he was young - born sometime in December - it looked like he could rebound from the surgeries.

He was whisked up to Veterinary Emergency Services where he had to wait a couple of days for the swelling to recede. Schardt said Chance received painkillers during his wait for the surgery, which put in plates and screws to hold his young bones together.

The GCHS board shelled out more than $6,000 from its Reserve Medical Fund after the executive board decided Chance was worth his namesake - a second chance.

Fast forward a month. Chance circles around his cage with his mom Izzy, as carefree and bouncy as any other puppy. He spins and rubs his body length along any willing leg and noses each hand for treats. He certainly doesn't seem to mind a body to lie with either, and Izzy is just as obliging.

Chance is just a little spoiled.

"All the workers come in here to visit," Schardt said. "There's lots of lying with them."

It was hard for the reporter to take notes when the puppy, very deserving of pets and head scratches, kept licking the pen. Chance leans into your legs, not for support of his wounded limbs, but for some closeness and petting.

Izzy is just as affectionate, making sure to crane her head straight back and look up for each noggin-rub.

Chance is very restricted and has been kept in isolation since returning from the vet. He is allowed two 5-minute walks per day, and is not allowed to play with other dogs.

"That is not fun for a puppy," Schardt said.

Schardt said Chance's original owner came in and rescinded ownership.

And there's a happy ending coming soon: Chance and Izzy were adopted together, Schardt said, and will be going to their new home in the future. It could be up to eight weeks before Chance has recuperated enough to go home. Izzy, however, is pregnant so she won't go home until she has her puppies in a couple of months and is cleared to join her son. Izzy's puppies will be up for adoption about eight to 12 weeks after they are born, Schardt said.

She said making the decision to spend the money on Chance was never up to one person; it has to be agreed upon by the executive board. The humane society has its revolving Reserve Medical Fund for an animal that may comes in with serious injuries - just like Chance.

"You would hate to make a choice based on funds," Schardt said.

The last time the Reserve Medical Fund was tapped was in December of 2013 when Amos, a 7-month old Shepherd mix, came in after being hit by a car and then shot. A veterinary exam determined Amos was injured at least two weeks before collapsing in a ditch where he was found. Amos underwent extensive surgery that drained the reserve fund.

Schardt said both Amos and Chance were both affectionate, even when wounded.

The Humane Society is currently accepting donations to replenish the reserve fund for the next animal that may need extraordinary care.

Until Chance and Izzy go to their new home, they will continue to bounce around their kennel eagerly awaiting the next pat or treat, or both as is often the case.

"To see them go home, it's such a cool thing," Schardt said. "You know, dogs don't feel sorry for themselves ... since Day One, Chance has just been a mellow, happy guy."