Chancho needs new knees!

Hello, my name is Maria Rose, and Chancho adopted me in 2019 from the streets of Grants Pass, OR. He was a sweet lost dog that came with many medical issues. Now I am asking for help with some significant surgery he desperately needs for his well-being. He is four and in a lot of pain that can be changed with TPLO surgery. I very much appreciate any help you can offer; please share!

Read on for the extended version.

Hello, my name is Maria Rose; I adopted or was adopted by Chancho on June 18th, 2019, from the streets of Grants Pass, Southern Oregon.

From its looks, Chancho was abandoned by his previous human, possibly because he needed medical attention or because he being an intelligent dog, went out looking for help!

I was jogging on a hot late afternoon, and I noticed this dog needed some help getting home. I had time, so I figured I’d help him/his human; people’s dogs are always escaping or getting lost. I asked people if they recognized this dog and tried to figure out what to do because he would not stop following me, and I was trying to jog back home. Kai, a new friend I had met the other day, just so happened to see me and my puzzled self and this dog and offered us some tips and a leash.

I posted him lost on the local community social media platforms, took him to the vet to see if he was chipped, and brought him to the local shelter; they were full. I’d ask my landlady if I could dog sit him until the owner picked him up; I figured it would be easiest for the owner. I immediately went to the library and checked out books about dog training. I started reading because dog-sitting him was not an easy task.

Chancho was covered in bugs, was very pink and had many bumps (allergies). He had a collar, no tag, so I was sure someone was missing him. The vet guessed his age to be 1.5-2 years by checking his dental.

Within a week of having him, I noticed he was not breathing well. I searched online about this and learned about foxtail grass. It is notorious for getting up dogs’ noses and killing them or between their paws and causing infections.

He needed immediate surgery. I had no intention of keeping him as my rental did not permit dogs, and I never had a dog and was a cat person (now, I know I am an animal lover). I figured his humans must be in distress to have their dog lost and have such health problems. I could help them at the time financially with this operation. Lincoln Veterinary sedated him, removed the grass and fixed his herniated belly button! We had a week with a neck cone a week after finding him, and he did not want to sit and relax much; he was full of energy. I called the local radio, which many people in the area listen to, stating found pittie etc. I got some calls and lots of pictures of dogs; it was unfortunate. The dogfighting scene in Southern OR is big. I was careful about finding his people and adamant about keeping searching. Our first month was a lot of work. Near the end of his cone week, he got sprayed by a skunk! Thank goodness his belly button was healed enough that he could be bathed. Now I had a pink dog who wanted to run around and smell stuff. Doesn’t work, by the way; I got skunk soap too. Overall, it's funny!

Some of my best friends have dogs and encouraged me to keep them. So BigBoii became many names until he became Chancho and is now part of my pack. My landlady fully supported me keeping him too! Everything in my life was screaming “adopt him”. I was very hesitant because I was, and still am, working on establishing myself in society.

I feel terrible to have waited so long to get his leg surgeries.

Summer of 2021, Chancho was experiencing sudden extreme pain. He always guarded both his back legs, so I think he has had bad knees since I found him. I took him to the ER and then got him x-rayed and tested. I got two different vet opinions. Both suggested TPLO surgery for both of his hind legs and, soon. Now it has become ASAP. So, I have his operation set for the end of this month. I am finally hopeful and determined!

Chancho has many years of adventure and is a great candidate for TPLO. I am asking for financial support for his whole operation and some recovery. I promise to continue training him and to help others.

Thank you very much for your support and caring thoughts!

Maria y Chanchito!