MONROE - Hoss, a 2-year-old Rottweiler, has the spirit of a puppy who loves his toys and craves attention.
Other than a slightly swollen hind leg, no one would know he suffered a gunshot wound in recent months, nearly leaving him one limb short.
"He's just happy," said Laci Westgard, executive director of public affairs for the Green County Humane Society.
Originally, the pup hails from Alabama, which is why he was taken to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society after being found with a wounded right-hind leg. GBHS was able to perform the surgery and extract the bullet, but the orthopedic surgery necessary to repair the calcaneus fracture was not performed.
With only one surgery, Hoss had a deformed leg and was left without proper function in his Achilles tendon.
His luck changed in December, when he and about 19 other dogs were transferred to Green County. This was the second of three shipments of dogs GCHS has received from Birmingham; the first was in September, and the most recent in January. Animals are taken in from traditional shelters, which euthanize dogs, by GCHS because it is a no-kill animal shelter with a high rate of adoption.
Westgard said all adult dogs through these types of shipments are typically adopted within two weeks.
For Hoss, GCHS sought a specialist, who recommended amputation. Staff at the facility were afraid it would affect his quality of life, so they sought a second opinion. A second specialist was called in and expressed confidence Hoss could make a full recovery.
"With bigger dogs like Hoss it's harder for them to only have three limbs because of their balance," Westgard said. "There's more weight to support."
Scheduled for Valentine's Day at Edinger Surgical Options in Madison, the orthopedic surgery to repair the previous fracture was made possible by the humane society's reserve medical fund, which helps animals get extra vet care when needed. The surgery will cost more than $4,000, a larger expense than if his leg were to be amputated.
Though the humane society intends to use the medical fund to pay for the surgery, Westgard said the balance has yet to be fully realized through donations. Since notifying the public of Hoss' need through the GCHS website and Facebook page Jan. 23, Westgard said donors have been offering steady support. So far, she said the facility has roughly half of the total needed to pay for the surgery.
Though the reserve fund can be used for any type of medical care, Westgard said its last few uses have been for more costly procedures.
Additional good news for Hoss may be coming in spring.
More than one application has been submitted for his adoption. But he won't be able to go home with anyone until after his recovery and rehab, which will take four to six weeks. Luckily, he'll get to be around familiar faces since GCHS Veterinarian Technician Janean Boss-Anderson will be able to do Hoss' rehab.
"It's a great opportunity to help him," Boss-Anderson said. "It's a good option to have."
Westgard said they plan to post pictures on their Facebook page and share the story of Hoss' recovery as he improves.
"He's just such a puppy," Westgard said. "He needs that chance to just run around and be crazy and jump around and be the goofy puppy he wants to be."
Other than a slightly swollen hind leg, no one would know he suffered a gunshot wound in recent months, nearly leaving him one limb short.
"He's just happy," said Laci Westgard, executive director of public affairs for the Green County Humane Society.
Originally, the pup hails from Alabama, which is why he was taken to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society after being found with a wounded right-hind leg. GBHS was able to perform the surgery and extract the bullet, but the orthopedic surgery necessary to repair the calcaneus fracture was not performed.
With only one surgery, Hoss had a deformed leg and was left without proper function in his Achilles tendon.
His luck changed in December, when he and about 19 other dogs were transferred to Green County. This was the second of three shipments of dogs GCHS has received from Birmingham; the first was in September, and the most recent in January. Animals are taken in from traditional shelters, which euthanize dogs, by GCHS because it is a no-kill animal shelter with a high rate of adoption.
Westgard said all adult dogs through these types of shipments are typically adopted within two weeks.
For Hoss, GCHS sought a specialist, who recommended amputation. Staff at the facility were afraid it would affect his quality of life, so they sought a second opinion. A second specialist was called in and expressed confidence Hoss could make a full recovery.
"With bigger dogs like Hoss it's harder for them to only have three limbs because of their balance," Westgard said. "There's more weight to support."
Scheduled for Valentine's Day at Edinger Surgical Options in Madison, the orthopedic surgery to repair the previous fracture was made possible by the humane society's reserve medical fund, which helps animals get extra vet care when needed. The surgery will cost more than $4,000, a larger expense than if his leg were to be amputated.
Though the humane society intends to use the medical fund to pay for the surgery, Westgard said the balance has yet to be fully realized through donations. Since notifying the public of Hoss' need through the GCHS website and Facebook page Jan. 23, Westgard said donors have been offering steady support. So far, she said the facility has roughly half of the total needed to pay for the surgery.
Though the reserve fund can be used for any type of medical care, Westgard said its last few uses have been for more costly procedures.
Additional good news for Hoss may be coming in spring.
More than one application has been submitted for his adoption. But he won't be able to go home with anyone until after his recovery and rehab, which will take four to six weeks. Luckily, he'll get to be around familiar faces since GCHS Veterinarian Technician Janean Boss-Anderson will be able to do Hoss' rehab.
"It's a great opportunity to help him," Boss-Anderson said. "It's a good option to have."
Westgard said they plan to post pictures on their Facebook page and share the story of Hoss' recovery as he improves.
"He's just such a puppy," Westgard said. "He needs that chance to just run around and be crazy and jump around and be the goofy puppy he wants to be."