SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A dog found earlier this year abandoned beside a freeway in Mexico is finally getting a permanent home.
The Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) said Wednesday that Orson, a two-year-old English Setter mix who's right leg was shorter than his other legs, will be adopted Thursday after the shelter opens.
Orson was found as a puppy by the side of a freeway in Mexico earlier this year. When he was brought to the humane society, veterinarians learned his right front leg was shorter than his other legs. This, in turn, caused more medical issues on his rear right leg.
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Originally, Orson's adopting family agreed to have his leg fixed. But instead, he was returned without having surgery.
RCHS began to ask for donations to help fund Orson's medical bills - receiving contributions from all over the country, according to the humane society.
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Orson was soon able to have his surgery, which installed a "fixator" device to stretch the bone of short leg. Since his surgery, Orson has been staying with a foster care volunteer and undergoing pool therapy to heal.
“We received dozens of applications from families who wanted to adopt Orson,” Kathy Zerkle, RCHS Vice President of Adoption Services, said. “Interestingly enough, it’s Orson’s foster care provider who had applied right away and will be giving him a forever home.”
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Zerkle said while there may be some long term effects, Orson's surgery should give him a substantially better quality of life moving forward.
"He’s able to use the leg, but because of the damage before the surgery, Orson will have a slight limp. His family will need to be watchful for arthritis," Zerkle said. "Even with these minor issues, Orson’s life is so much better. The pain is gone.”
For more information, or to make a donation to RCHS, visit www.sdpets.org or call 760-753-6413.
