Houston Dog Rescuers Find Skin & Bones Stray in Parking Lot, Foster His Incredible Recovery

Houston Dog Rescuers Find Skin & Bones Stray in Parking Lot, Foster His Incredible Recovery
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)
Jenni Julander
11/23/2020
Updated:
11/26/2020

When a scrawny stray dog was found starving and emaciated in a Houston parking lot, it seemed like he might not make it another day.

Someone posted a picture of the poor animal on social media and tagged his location, and a volunteer from ThisIsHouston animal rescue spotted the photo. They knew they had to rescue the dog immediately.

Pictures showed several bystanders nearby, but until rescue staff arrived on the scene, no one approached the dog.

After being picked up by the rescuers, the poor canine started seizing inside their truck.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.this-is-houston.org/">ThisIsHouston</a>)
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)

Vergi Emergency Hospital eventually took over the care effort and came to the same conclusion the rescuers had: this dog was about to die.

“When I got him into my vehicle, I actually said I thought he would die before we got there,” she told ABC13.

But Crenshaw said she felt a spark of hope when the dog lifted his head on the way to the hospital.

(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)

Still struggling to breathe, he somehow made it all the way to the vet center. After he was miraculously stabilized, the vets decided to give him a new name: Opie.

“He is emaciated,” Dr. Laura Ron told the news outlet. “He wants to eat a lot, but can’t because his system isn’t used to real food.

“We found minerals that he was passing, which meant he had been eating rocks, bones, anything he could find.

“What we do know is, he doesn’t appear to have had any veterinary care, has no microchip, and hasn’t had proper food in months. It takes a long time for a dog to get this way.”

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.this-is-houston.org/">ThisIsHouston</a>)
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)

Fortunately, Opie hasn’t had a seizure since they began treating him.

In addition to suffering starvation, he had a large wound on his leg and had to receive stitches.

“He has several months of recovery ahead of him,” said Dr. Ron. “But he has spirit and a gentle soul.”

Still, Opie hasn’t let his injury stop him from showing affection to the vets who are caring for him. He is a loving animal who just needed a good home.

Dr. Ron pointed out that stray animals need our help: “There are a lot of stray dogs in Houston trying to survive. You may not have room or the means to keep an animal, but you can call rescues, the SPCA, or someone, rather than leaving them to die.”

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.this-is-houston.org/">ThisIsHouston</a>)
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)
ThisIsHouston posts regular updates about Opie’s condition on their Facebook page, as well. On Sept. 29, they shared a new interest he’s developed and took it as a good sign:
“Opie got a house plant and a fake toy plant to match his plant obsession ?
“He’s still learning how to dog and is really thriving ❤️ his arm wounds are looking amazing and his fur is growing in nice and shiny!”
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.this-is-houston.org/">ThisIsHouston</a>)
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.this-is-houston.org/">ThisIsHouston</a>)
(Courtesy of ThisIsHouston)
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Jenni Julander is a writer based in the Rocky Mountains, where she received her writing education. She covers human interest and trending news for The Epoch Times.
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