From tears to smiles.

Leroy’s abuse broke our hearts. But now he’s well and ready for his forever home.

Imagine driving down the highway and seeing a weary dog on the side of the road, dragging a chain around his neck. Such a sad sight was presented to our good Samaritans on August 20th as they drove though the BC Interior. They managed to collect the dog only to find his neck was horribly injured and he desperately needed veterinary care, but who to call? Often traditional shelters, particularly those in remote areas just don’t have the ability to care for an animal as horribly ill as the dog they named Leroy, an animal who had been chained in the woods, shot and left for dead by the people who were supposed to be his family.

Through a number of phone calls from one caring person to another that night, the rescuers were put in contact with the Victoria Humane Society, reaching our Executive Director, Penny Stone, who amazingly answers her cell phone at all hours, day and night, 7 days a week. Finally, someone who they could talk to rather than leave a message.

The village was activated and a network of volunteers stepped in. Within 12 hours Leroy was on the Island and in the care of VHS

Once in Penny’s arms, the love began for Leroy. He was taken to the amazing Dr. Gurney where it was found that, as suspected, he was full of shrapnel. Additionally, his wounds had abscessed because it had taken him 5-7 days to drag himself to the highway after being shot.

Poor Leroy was on death’s door and it was not certain he would make it through the night. But he wasn’t going to give up and neither was VHS. Leroy received excellent care at the Central Victoria Animal Hospital, funded by wonderful donors who read his story on Facebook and responded to a call for help. He made it!

This poor dog went through an incredible ordeal being shot, abandoned and then taken to a strange place where his treatment could also be painful, with dressing changes and almost daily needles. He was understandably nervous and growly, he didn’t know he was in the hands of good humans. Throughout the ordeal, underneath his pain, we knew he just needed time to heal and learn to trust and, with the help of a great foster home, he got that time.

It has been one full month and Leroy is now named Brody and is ready for his furever home. He has emerged as a gentle giant who just needs his human to allow him the time to adapt and feel comfortable in new situations. Brody will be a loyal, loving companion and is accepting applications now.