Champion is an awesome dog who just had his amputation on Monday, October 5th.  Champ is a redbone coonhound mix, estimated to be 4-6 years old, up-to-date on vaccines, neutered, and microchipped.  Champion LOVES other dogs, is great with dog-savvy cats, and loves every human he meets (has been with toddlers and did well).  His favorite thing to do is put his head on your lap and have you just rub his head and ears.  Champion is also incredibly smart and has learned how to open doors and latching trash cans--we are hoping to embrace this knowledge to give him some basic training as a helper dog.  Champion is quite polite in the home and has not chewed bedding or other inappropriate items.

Champion came to us from a municipal animal control that was going to euthanize him because they couldn't afford his surgery.  The veterinarian thinks he was hit by a car and then he healed, but he also seems to have been on his own for a while (found wandering as a stray, skinny, his body had adjusted to not using the injured leg).  His left rear leg is the one that was amputated, but he is already doing well getting around--he didn't use the leg for a while before the surgery, so his adjustment period shouldn't be too long.  He does have some issues with full staircases as he tires out quickly, but if he's really determined, he'll make it up.  We are working on training him with a lift harness.  Porch stairs aren't an issue unless they are slippery.  In addition to being a tripawd, Champ has tested positive for lyme exposure, which is being treated with antibiotics.

Champ is currently recovering in a foster home, and will go into our prison program, where inmates will train him in basic manners, as well has house- and crate-train him.  Our goal is to get our dogs Canine Good Citizen ready.  We estimate he will be ready for adoption at the beginning of December, but will accept adoption applications immediately.

We will have new photos soon from the foster parents showing the amputation.

Link to Champion's Petfinder profile.