Rescuers named him Clyde. No one knows what the one-year-old pooch was called before he arrived at Gallatin County Animal Shelter (GCAS) in Sparta, Kentucky.
In his previous life, the “sweet pup with a heart of gold” suffered unspeakable neglect as a massive 6.4-pound tumor grew from his chest, eventually dragging between his front legs, and rupturing from the weight.
**WARNING: Images may be disturbing to some readers.
Shari Wyenandt with HART Animal Rescue says Clyde’s previous owner left no imformation when he left him at the shelter.
“Literally dropped off, instructed to euthanize, then he turned away, turned around and walked away,” Wyenandt told WLWT News.
GCAS posted a desperate plea to their online rescue contacts, hoping to give the young dog a second chance. HART Animal Rescue responded immediately.
“He’s only a year … way too young for a death sentence,” Wyenandt said.
Clyde underwent surgery to remove the tumor yesterday at County Animal Hospital in Mason, KY. The most recent update from HART states the procedure went well and he is resting comfortably.
“It’s really sad, it’s extremely sad,” said Dr. Fidan Kaptan, the veterinarian who performed Clyde’s 2-hour surgery. “The next step that we have for him is getting a biopsy done. Basically, the biopsy will tell us a little bit better about the mass, what we’re dealing with.”
Dr. Kaptan believes Clyde’s tumor grew for about six months – nearly half his life.
If the mass is found to be cancerous, Clyde may have a long road of treatments and chemotherapy in his future; but no matter the outcome, he has something he did not have before – hope.
According to Wyenandt, the Shepherd/Husky mix should have no trouble capturing the heart of an adopter with his kind eyes and loving personality. Those interested in contributing to Clyde’s medical fund may do so on the HART website.
H/T to WLWT News 5
Featured Image via Facebook/Gallatin County Animal Shelter
