Buddy is a gentle tricolor basset who wags his tail when you come to visit him in the vet clinic where he has been the last few weeks recovering from a shockingly cruel ordeal. Buddy was picked up as a stray in Jefferson City, Tenn., a couple of weeks ago. He was in agonizing pain because his former owner had tried to do a cheapie neuter on Buddy by putting a rubber band around his testicles and scrotum, very tightly. By the time Buddy made it to the animal shelter, the flesh on his genitals had turned black; his flesh was dying from lack of blood supply. In a desperate attempt to stop the pain, Buddy had begun to chew off his own flesh. (You can see his injuries in the photo below, left.)
The shelter considered euthanizing him but they called BRBR, on the long shot we could help. We took Buddy into our vet that day where he spent a week on painkillers and antibiotics, getting strong enough for surgery to repair his maimed body. On Friday, Dec. 17, he underwent a scrotal ablation. Buddy is recovering well, but still at the hospital. He is a sweet boy who is learning that hands can pet, not just hurt. He wags his tail when someone comes in his kennel to visit and give belly rubs. His prognosis is good for a full recovery. But you can still see the pain and fear in his eyes.
Buddy's vet bill has been substantial. He needed a lot of supportive care before doctors could even repair the brutal wound to his body. And he is still in the hospital, trying to get strong enough to go to a foster home.
Please consider donating $10, $25, $100. whatever you can. The money will go to help Buddy get back on his feet and wagging his tail, and to help other needy bassets in Tennessee. BRBR has saved more than 300 basset hounds like Buddy in its four years of existence. We can only help them if you help us.
Make Buddy's Christmas a bright one, filled with health, love and absent of pain.
I left the best part of this story for last: The animal shelter located Buddy's owner when they scanned the tortured dog for a microchip. The owner is due in court in Jefferson City, Tenn., on Jan. 6 for animal cruelty charges. Let's get Buddy well enough to go to face his torturer in court.
Please give what you can. Buddy and the helpess creatures of the world like him will appreciate it.