Emaciated Shih Tzu Tossed from Car

A car slowed down and tossed out a tiny bundle of fur, then sped off without a look back.  It was hard to tell what was beneath the matts, urine soaked fur and filth.   Wrapped like a mummy in matts, this tiny creature struggled to get up, but was unable to walk. Bystanders called Animal Control.  RBARI got the call for immediate urgent rescue help.  This emaciated, sweet shih tzu was barely recognizable under a coating of thick, filthy fur.  He was unable to walk.  His matts wrapped around his head and limbs like a mummy.  He had matts at least 3 inches deep over his eyes, and the smell of urine and feces was overwhelming.  Weighing in at 6 pounds, he should have been 20 at a healthy weight.  He was weak and pale with horrible dental disease, yet all he wanted to do was find comfort through human touch.  


All you could see was his nose and tongue through the matts, and as he heard a kind voice, an amazing thing happened.  This sweet little creature moved towards us and gave kisses.  He was stumbling over from the weight of his matts and weakness of his body, yet he yearned to love and be loved.  We cuddled this beautiful forgiving soul despite the matts and smell, and we named him Grant, 

We immediately rushed Grant to Oradell Animal Hospital, as he was in distress and so weak.  His red blood cell count was low, and it dipped down even further in the first hours of his hospitalization.  Blood was found in his feces.  Grant was put in an IV and given a blood transfusion to stablize him.  He will have an ultrasound to determine if these symptoms are as a result of severe neglect or if there is more going on.  Our hope is that with 24 hour care and TLC, we can give Grant a second chance at life and that his body will respond positively.  

Grant remains loving - his faith in people remains steady as ours diminishes.  Help Grant learn about human kindness, and please help us give Grant the life that he deserves.