Rescue volunteers Jason and Amanda Hopson were alerted to a neglected dog found by a good Samaritan late on the night of Nov. 19.
The dog, eventually named Ruger, had wandered up to a woman's house. She posted Ruger's picture to a community Facebook page asking for help.
Jason Hopson, who works with Bright Hope Animal Rescue, went to get Ruger, but his condition was much worse than originally thought.
Based on the photo posted on Facebook, rescue workers believed Ruger to be a labrador mix. He was actually a Great Dane, weighing in at 48 pounds -- less than half of what he should weigh.
Volunteers believe him to be 5 or 6 years old.
Hopson and his wife, Amanda, offered Ruger small bites of food that night, but he wasn't interested, nor would he drink. They began giving Ruger Pedialyte every hour with a syringe, which helped him gain some moisture in his gums.
The couple kept watch over him through the night, hoping to get him to a veterinarian the next morning, Amanda Hopson said.
"He's not going to make it. He is almost gone," Jason said to Amanda at about 1:45 a.m.
Ruger was motionless but still breathing, so the Hopsons rushed him to Animal Medical Center of Greeneville.
Drs. Ed and Al Claiborne immediately gave Ruger fluids and vitamins, but X-rays revealed his stomach had twisted, a usually-lethal condition.
The Hopsons were given two options: perform emergency surgery knowing Ruger had at-best a 50 percent chance to survive, or euthanize him.
The surgery would be expensive and offered little hope, Amanda Hopson said.
But within the first few hours of getting Ruger, Bright Hope had received an outpouring of support and offers to help.
So the Hopsons opted for surgery, and the Claibornes got to work.
Ruger survived.
He now has an 80 percent chance of survival, Amanda Hopson said.
"Who would have thought Ruger's story would touch so many lives so quickly from all across this county?" Amanda Hopson said. "We have had complete strangers come up to us and ask how Ruger is doing.
"I have told his story and watched tears roll down cheeks. Ruger has earned the status of rock star and we couldn't be more proud of him," she said.
Workers at Bright Hope and the veterinarians say they don't know how Ruger managed to survive the cold nights or severe starvation.
"Ruger has a very long road ahead of him," Amanda Hopson said.
For now, Ruger is still in the care of Animal Medical Center of Greeneville.
Donations to help with Bright Hope's veterinarian bills can be made directly at the veterinarians' office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or by calling 639-6777.
Everyone is invited to continue to follow Ruger's story on Bright Hope Animal Rescue's Facebook page.
Jason and Amanda Hopson also said they hope Ruger's story will serve as a reminder to report animal abuse and neglect.
(Greeneville Sun - November 27, 2014)
i hate humans
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