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| Rescued dog needs surgery |
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| A second 'Chance' |
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 | | Submitted photo | | Chance learns how to use a canine wheelchair. |
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By Susan Matheny
"Chance," a 6- to 7-month-old pup has been taken in by Madras Rescue after being shot with a pellet gun and paralyzed.
Sandy Ballard, who runs Madras Rescue, said she received a call at 6:30 p.m., June 14, from a woman complaining about a stray dog that had been following her around all day. She said she lived near Warm Springs Elementary.
"I said to bring him in, and she said she was busy, but would call back at 8 p.m.," Ballard recalled.
"Then I got a panicked call that the dog was down and behind a shed. It was 10 p.m., but I got into my car and drove to Warm Springs and found the dog was paralyzed," Ballard said.
The lady said her husband had been shooting a pellet gun in the air to scare the dog away.
She took the pup to Madras Animal Hospital, where it was found a pellet had entered his lower back, traveled up through the skin and lodged between his shoulder blades in his spine, causing the paralysis.
The pellet can't be removed, because trying to get it out would cause too much further damage, she said.
"The other disturbing thing was, his face was crooked and he couldn't open his mouth all the way. That first night he sucked water up like a horse. He couldn't even open his mouth enough to lap up water," Ballard related.
Because of this, the vet also X-rayed the dog's head and determined that early in his life, he was probably either hit or kicked in the face. The blow had broken his jaw and the skull over his sinus cavity, and the jaw had healed wrong. He did not appear to have any brain damage from the injury.
Despite all that abuse, Ballard felt the pup deserved a chance, because of his personality and will to live.
"He's really the sweetest darn dog for what he's been through. He gets so excited when you approach and doesn't like to be left alone," she reported.
Chance, who has one blue eye and one brown eye, is believed to be a border collie mix. Ballard thinks he must have been scrounging garbage piles for food all his short life, because his coat is rough and dull, and he is thin and malnourished.
She and helper Judy Budd have been soaking puppy Kibbles in water to soften them in order to get some food down him.
"We pretty much have to syringe it in. He eats really slow. It's a sad thing to watch," Ballard said.
Due to the extent of his injuries, Chance was referred to Cinder Rock Vet Clinic in Redmond for surgery to rebreak his jaw and set it properly so he can open his mouth and eat.
Ballard said the estimate for the cost of the surgery is between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on if pins are needed.
As for the paralysis, the vet has loaned Chance a dog wheelchair to try out. The dog's hind quarters fit in a harness, and he will learn to pull himself around with his front feet.
If animals can't be rehabilitated, Madras Rescue does have them put to sleep. But that isn't the case with Chance, Ballard said.
"This dog's been through so much, but has such a zest for life that he sparkles. He will be highly adoptable and will have a quality life," Ballard said.
Anyone interested in helping with Chance's veterinary bills may send donations to: Madras Rescue Group, 416 N.E. 10th St., Madras, 97741 (write "For Chance" on the check). The bills are available for public review. For more information, contact Ballard at 475-3314.
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