Wheeler the Tiny Pug Chihuahua

 

Wheeler, a tiny Pug Chihuahua, running scared...

AAS got one of those emails that we get almost daily: a plea for help from someone who has rescued a sick or abused dog but can't keep it and who doesn't want to take it to one of the terrible gulags that are passed off as "animal shelters". But first we have to tell you why a 5-pound dog has the unlikely name of "Wheeler".

Wheeler's rescue

From under the wheels of a parked 18-wheeler truck a tiny dog was seen running for its life by a kind man who managed to scoop it into his arms after a mad and scary chase for both of them.  If the tiny dog ran back across the busy road, this time it may not have made it.

The kind man took the trembling dog to his office where he gave it some water and made it a bed in box until he could take it home and feed it. 

With no ID and no tattoo the kind man couldn't find his owner or find out the dog's name, so the kind man decided to name him Wheeler.

Wheeler's gauntness might be explained by him being lost for several days, but the way he cowered in a corner if a hand was raised told a sadder story than hunger.

When no one claimed Wheeler after the kind man put posters on telephone poles and notices on CraigsList for more than a week, the kind man didn't know what to do next.  He knew he couldn't keep him because he already had several dogs and cats, but he couldn't bear to think of tiny Wheeler in a cold concrete cell, surrounded by big dogs barking insanely and where he knew he wouldn't be allowed to know who had Wheeler next.  He wanted to know Wheeler's fate.  Someone told him to contact Animal Advocates. 

Wheeler's new life begins

One of our wonderful foster home volunteers drove many miles, late at night, to pick Wheeler up and take him home.  The next day Wheeler was at our vet being examined and having an appointment made to have him neutered as quickly as possible - because Wheeler cocked his tiny leg obsessively, everywhere!  The vet estimated his age at about 3 or 4 years.

Wheeler has such severe gingivitis that it could only have been caused by long-time neglect, so his teeth will be scaled and if any are rotten or broken they will be extracted.

His eyes are ringed with dampness, but there is no infection. The vet told us that this is not uncommon in the breed and that all that was needed was for his eyes to be wiped once a day.  Wheeler is going to cost AAS quite a bit.  Can you help us pay his bills? If you can, go to donate.

Wheeler almost makes a new friend while at the vet

Wheeler pretending he's Paris Hilton's dog
Wheeler's story to be continued...

There has been such a flood of appeals for help this year that we may not be able to reply very quickly or at all to more appeals.  AAS is now so well-known for its experience in all animal welfare and rescue matters that we are asked for advice and help from all over BC, Canada, the U.S. and the world.  For years I have answered each and every appeal with detailed advice that I have learned from 20 years of rescue, advocacy and animal law. Our high standards are well-known to the public, that is why we are so often asked for help and advice.

We are currently working on so many projects that I am sorry to have to say that we may not be able to respond to all the cries for help we hear as quickly as we want to.

AAS ethical standards are simple and straightforward, but a lot of work: Every rescued dog is given the exact same love and care that I give my own dogs.  Anything less can't be morally justified.  To weigh the costs, to kill, or to rehome without paying to make the dog well in body and spirit is not true animal welfare: it's moving as much product as fast as possible and to demand money for unwell product is a business, not a calling. 

Judy Stone

Please donate if you want to help us help more needy animals.
Restore your faith in humanity. Heart warming stories of brave people and how they have rescued abused and neglected dogs. Many happy ending stories and video too, right here.


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