This young fellow arrived last Wednesday night, brought out to us by our pet transport company, TLC Pet Transport. He had been picked up as an emaciated stray and held in an Arkansas animal control shelter for over a month. He was facing euthanasia because his time was up, the kennels were overflowing, and the shelter had an 85% euthanasia rate last year. Despite that staggering statistic, the animal control officer and dedicated volunteers are trying to do everything they can to save the animals who end up there. A volunteer named Holli H. contacted us about this three-legged dog who had been named Hobble Foot or alternately, Tripod. We renamed him Tanner.
She wrote, "He is very sweet and smart. He gets along with the other dogs in his kennel, but really needs out. Please, if you think you can help this guy, I will find a way to get him to you."
Holli is one of the many unsung heroes of the animal welfare community, quietly working behind the scenes to save animals one by one. Most of the disabled animals who come to us only make it out alive because an individual like Holli works so hard to find another option for them.
We agreed to take him, and we offered to have him boarded at a local vet clinic until our transport could get there. We figured that would ensure he was safe while also freeing up much needed space at the shelter. So a couple of days after Thanksgiving, Holli pulled him from the shelter and took him to the vet clinic.
Last Monday, he left on the transport and arrived here very late Wednesday night. Despite being fed at the shelter, he is still very skinny. Here's a photo we took that night when feeding him dinner in our quarantine kennel:
We've since wormed him, which should also help him get weight back on.
He is as sweet and loving as Holli said, and just melts in your arms. His biggest medical issue is that stump of a leg, which is raw and bleeding at the end:
We took that photo the next morning, after we let him out in an exercise yard by himself. Typically if a veterinarian is going to remove a leg, he or she will take it off at the hip rather than leave so much of the remaining leg to dangle down. Because Tanner still has the muscles attached to the entire thigh bone, he tries to use that leg, and often scrapes it across the ground or inadvertently pivots on it. The stump also just doesn't look surgically done. My hunch is that he lost the lower part of his leg to a trap.
I am taking him to our specialists at Peak Veterinary in Burlington tomorrow for a work-up and an evaluation of Tanner's leg by the surgeon there, Dr. Kurt Schulz.
Here are some more photos we took yesterday afternoon (yes, the snow had melted but it was still cold!) ... in this next one you can sure see the submissive posture:
He does cower and shrink sometimes when he first approaches us, and we suspect he's definitely been ill-treated in the past. But he still very much wants to be loved up, so once we begin petting him and he gets that assurance, he gets all wiggly and affectionate. If we get down face to face with him, he'll eagerly kiss us. Here's another shot showing what a handsome boy he is:
The shelter thought he could be a Spaniel/Beagle mix, which we could see in him ... or he could be just a very cute Heinz 57 mix. Sometimes I think I see a bit of Foxhound in him too. But who knows ... or cares? Cute is cute!
We'll have a much better idea of what's going on with him after tomorrow's visit to Peak.
Our ability to say "yes" to a dog like Tanner is due entirely to the donations we receive from our supporters. We simply couldn't do this otherwise. So thanks to all of you who make those gifts -- Tanner is one very lucky boy because of you. For him, this was an amazing Christmas present!
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Final 2013 Shelter Challenge Underway
The final round of the Shelter Challenge for 2013 began on October 28th and runs until December 22. You can vote every day here. To search for us, type in our name, Rolling Dog Farm, and Lancaster, NH 03584. We just won another $1,000 in the previous round, so your daily votes do bring in serious money for our disabled animals!
Please note that I cannot help with technical or voting problems. I also do not have an "inside track" to anyone at the Shelter Challenge, and I don't know any more about the contest than anyone else does. So if you find yourself having issues, please consult their FAQ page here and their Rules page, which is a pop-up you can find linked on this page.
Thanks for your votes!
So glad he is safe and sound with love surrounding him!!!
Posted by: Christina Worcester | December 20, 2013 at 07:36 PM
Tanner is exactly where he needs to be.
Posted by: Ev | December 13, 2013 at 12:21 PM
I'm thinking Timmy needs a three-legged playmate!! Although I don't think the cats and little Miss April would appreciate another dog in the house...but then again the more the merry! If I had a bigger place, I would definitely take him!
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | December 11, 2013 at 01:50 PM
Tanner is gorgeous! I'll bet he'll be blending in very quickly. Welcome home to RDF Tanner...you couldn't be in a better place!
Posted by: Ann | December 11, 2013 at 01:33 AM
Tanner welcome to the best day of your life--RDF!!! Thank you all who saved this wonderful boy. In a world of such heartbreak in animal rescue it does my soul good to see one like Tanner get saved!!!! RDF is a group we are proud to support!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | December 10, 2013 at 11:34 PM
He is so handsome! Can't wait to hear what solutions the vet may have for his troubled leg. No matter what, he is a fine dog. So glad you could take him!
Posted by: Reta Davis | December 10, 2013 at 10:41 PM
So glad Holli started Tanner on his way to the farm. She has a heart of gold! Once you get that leg dealt with I hope you don't fall too in love with him, He might have to take over a home of his own!! What a great story. Thank you Holli, Steve & Alayne. One animal at a time...blessings
Posted by: Anne in FL | December 10, 2013 at 06:31 PM
It is so amazing to see how much love he has even after his rough start. Tanner is going to look really handsome when he fills out a bit. Welcome sweet boy! We are sending you love and looking forward to updates.
Posted by: Chloe | December 10, 2013 at 05:50 PM
I just want to cry!!!! Tanner, welcome. You are in good hands. And SAFE!!!! Holli the volunteer is a guardian angel!!!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | December 10, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Welcome Home Tanner!!
He does look like a very sweet boy! Love him up right now because I have a feeling that someone is going to want to adopt him. Handsome, sweet and athletic, what a great dog he would be for anyone.
Posted by: boundforglory | December 10, 2013 at 05:27 PM
And another sweet dog finds a great home at Rolling Dog Farm. What a wonderful Christmas Tanner will have. Stories like this just make my week.
Posted by: Betsy | December 10, 2013 at 04:41 PM
WELCOME HOME TANNER WELCOME HOME
I don't know why, but for some reason I get the feeling that when Travis and Tanner hook up you may have 2 - 3rds of the 3 Musketeers on your hands. LoL out looking for Adventures.
Posted by: Eric | December 10, 2013 at 02:47 PM
Tanner (a perfect name, btw) may be a little unsure, but I think he knows he's found a good, good place to live.
Welcome, Tanner. I don't think you'll be there very long. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | December 10, 2013 at 01:07 PM
Tanner, if your Christmas wish was for a home and some love, Santa heard you! Have a beautiful holiday and some Christmas cuddles!
Posted by: Miranda Brooks | December 10, 2013 at 12:55 PM
I'm so glad he is now with you, so you can love him and take care of him like he should be.
Posted by: Dawn | December 10, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Thanks to Holli and all who work the front lines to rescue animals. You are a special type of angel and have admiration and gratitude from many. The T-Man will settle in and learn of love with Alayne and Steve. On a personal note, we have a 3-legged rescue pug who can run laps, literally, around any other dog or human!
Posted by: Mary H. | December 10, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Welcome home to Tanner!!
Posted by: Susan Britt | December 10, 2013 at 09:51 AM
Wow Tanner looks to be a fabulous dog. I would take him if I didn't already have 4 rescue pets (3 dogs and a cat).
I can only donate $20.00 dollars a month. I hope it at least helps feed the little fella.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 10, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Welcome Tanner...you are in a good place...new beginnings
Posted by: Susan Kenney | December 10, 2013 at 08:08 AM
It's wonderful to know that Tanner is in such loving hands now (and in time for the Holidays, too)!
God bless you & Holli for saving his life. He's just precious!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | December 10, 2013 at 04:37 AM
Welcome Tanner. What a lucky guy you are!! Thank you Holli for your brave and compassionate work. You two too, Steve and Alayne!
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | December 09, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Poor Tanner has had a hard time! Now his luck has changed and he'll be happy ever after. Yes, that leg definitely needs help. He's still a very handsome boy and looks very sweet. (And Tanner is a much better name than his previous two!)
Posted by: Tonya Allen | December 09, 2013 at 06:37 PM
It certainly looks like Tanner already knows how good his life just became:-)Thank you Alayne and Steve!!!
Posted by: Colleen | December 09, 2013 at 04:53 PM
Welcome, Tanner! What a gorgeous boy. I hope all goes well with the vet visit. I can't wait to see more pictures.
Posted by: Ashley | December 09, 2013 at 04:25 PM
FOR SURE AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR ALL INVOLVED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED TANNER GET TO ROLLING DOG.
Posted by: FELICIA | December 09, 2013 at 03:09 PM
Tanner is a beautiful boy! Thank you guys SO MUCH, and Holli, for making this happen! Prayers for a good resolution to the leg issue. You guys really are angels in disguise.
Posted by: Linda | December 09, 2013 at 12:53 PM
He is so very beautiful, but that raw stump has to hurt!
Do you have any idea how old he might be? How wonderful you all could take him!!! Merry Christmas, Tanner!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | December 09, 2013 at 12:39 PM
He is a good looking boy. Think he already knows he's safe.
Posted by: Bob | December 09, 2013 at 12:14 PM