Rhino

It was only a matter of hours between life and death for a dog named Rhino, who was slated for euthanasia at a local shelter that afternoon. But luckily for this Neapolitan mastiff/pit bull mix, two League employees were at the shelter that day selecting dogs for transfer to the League.  When they saw a glimmer of hope in the dog’s eyes as he looked up at them from behind the bars of his cage, their hearts went out to him, and they couldn’t leave him behind.

Rhino was originally impounded because his person was arrested and the police, having either overlooked or forgotten him, left the dog in the backyard of the arrested man’s house.  Rhino languished in the yard for two weeks with no food, water, or relief from the heat, until a neighbor finally called the shelter to report a neglected dog.

At that point, Rhino’s entire body was covered in mange and a yeast infection; he had no hair, his skin was swollen, and his body was covered with bleeding sores.  Having not had a meal in two weeks, Rhino was emaciated.  The dog’s agreeable nature was nonetheless immediately apparent in the inviting way he looked at anyone who passed his kennel.

Once he got to the League’s Medical Center, Rhino’s condition began to improve immediately.  He got a soothing bath and treatment for his mange and yeast infection.  A special high-calorie diet helped him gain his weight back.  And when an echocardiogram uncovered a heart murmur—it was likely caused by the strain of emaciation—a veterinary heart specialist was consulted.

Rhino is now available for adoption at the League. Through our “America’s Dog: A Red White & Blue Bully for You” promotion, which runs through the month of July, Rhino’s adoption fee has been reduced by 50 percent (down to $100), and he comes with a free 6-week training course, free harness, and free ID tags! This sweet boy loves everyone he meets. It seems as if he has totally forgotten his horrible past and is ready to start a new life in a loving, forever home.

To see more pictures of Rhino before and after his recovery at the League, please visit our Flickr page!