Lucky Dog relaxing in his bed at Paws Up Safe Home in Potomac.
Lucky Dog finishing up his meal at Paws Up Safe Home Dec. 10, nearly three months after being found. He is slowly putting on weight and he has regained the strength in his back legs to stand and walk on his own. According to Paws Up Safe Home Operator Hazel Tyler, he is on a soft food diet, takes daily medication and continues to get stronger. They wish he would put on more weight but are thankful for his hearty appetite.
Veterinarian Dr. Andy Cross examining Lucky Dog after he was found abandoned in the Lost Creek area near Condon. Lucky's hind legs were not strong enough to support him so Dr. Cross has propped him up using his leg.
POTOMAC – A lost Weimaraner dog was found Sept. 24 dragging his dehydrated, starving body through a frost covered meadow in the Lost Creek area near Condon. He was taken to Paws Up Safe Home and Animal Shelter (Paws Up) in Potomac. After a lot of love, care and food he is finally able to stand on his own again and continues to get his strength back.
The Weimaraner, affectionately named Lucky Dog once he arrived at Paws Up, was found miles from any home. His hind feet were bloody from being dragged. Scott Gearhart stopped and picked up the dog and called Paws Up. Gearhart told Paws Up Operator Hazel Tyler that he could not believe how many vehicles drove by the dog and did not stop to help.
Tyler and Gearhart met at Clearwater Junction. Once safe at the shelter, Lucky had to be carried to his kennel.
Paws Up posted the information about the found dog on their Facebook page. The dog had no collar. Even though the post was shared 29 times by people throughout the Swan and Seeley Valleys, no one claimed Lucky.
Dr. Andy Cross with Missoula Veterinarian Clinic saw Lucky the next day for blood tests and a general assessment. Lucky's blood tests all came back okay and no chip was found. Dr. Cross did suspect possible neurological damage, due to starvation and dehydration, but further tests were required to confirm it.
Paws Up Board Member Nancy Braun fostered Lucky for four weeks in her home to give him extra attention.
"My main goals were to fatten him up and get his strength back," wrote Braun in an email.
Braun fed Lucky eggs, rice, chicken broth and all the dog food he would eat. She walked him very slowly up to three times per day for a half an hour to an hour.
"His back legs were the weak ones, so they would give out and he would fall - splat," wrote Braun. "He got to the point where he could get back up by himself when he fell down. He is a trooper."
Braun said that her pet rat Pretzel would climb on Lucky and would even snitch his food. Lucky was fine the whole time.
"He is very good-natured and mellow. I never heard him bark," wrote Braun. "He is a sweetie and continues to improve at Paws Up."
Now that Lucky is getting his strength back, he is scheduled to return to Dr. Cross for more tests.
"We will continue to love and nurse him and want a good life for him," wrote Braun. "He is doing very well and is just a great dog. We all love him."
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