A puppy discovered in a pile of garbage is getting a second chance at a better life thanks to the K-9 Stray Rescue League in Oxford Township.
His name is Tuff Patrick and he’s believed to be a German Shepherd mix that’s between four and six months old.
Found in a trash container in Ohio in early November, the pooch is being fostered by Marion Muir, a rescue league volunteer.
‘He’s a very feisty puppy,? she said. ‘He’s also very sweet and very friendly.?
Tuff Patrick wasn’t in the best shape when he was discovered. Muir said he had developed a ‘horrible skin infection? with lots of scabbing and swelling.
As a result, the puppy lost approximately 30 percent of the hair on his body.
‘His whole head had no hair,? Muir said.
Tuff Patrick was also quite malnourished.
‘He was pretty thin,? she said.
His poor condition earned him the nickname ‘Pathetic Patrick.?
Fortunately, thanks to three different medications, special baths and lots of tender loving care, the puppy is ‘progressing very quickly,? according to Muir. He could be available for adoption in about a month.
His strong recovery earned him the new name Tuff Patrick.
‘He had to be tough to survive as bad as he was,? Muir said. ‘He’s doing really well now.?
Photographer Carol Lyons, who lives in Lapeer and works in Oxford, has been shooting pictures of the puppy on a weekly basis to document his steady improvement.
She wants to show that even though there are cruel people in the world able to ‘discard? a living creature like this ‘so easily,? there are also individuals with enough ‘caring and compassion? in their hearts to open their homes to them and nurse them back to health.
‘It takes somebody special to take (in) a dog that has so many medical problems and help them recuperate and eventually, become somebody’s loving pet,? Lyons said.
To learn more about the K-9 Stray Rescue League, visit www.dogsaver.org/k9srl