It is estimated that 25-30% of dogs in U. S. shelters are purebred dogs.  At the Rogue Valley Humane Society, we have a wish list filled with people looking for Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Basset Hounds, and Pomeranians to name just a few breeds.

Often, people are emotionally drawn to a particular breed.  Sometimes, sadly, the breed’s characteristics do not match a person’s or family’s expectations or they do not sufficiently explore the breed before adopting and that is when shelters, like ours, meet dogs like Otis—a purebred six-year-old English Springer Spaniel.

Otis had not seen a vet in more than four years and he had never been neutered.  His feet were under attack by foxtails that had become embedded and his eyes were diagnosed with conjunctivitis.  This beautiful dog had lived exclusively outside and his coat was totally neglected.  When asked to describe Otis his owner wrote that “he has a ton of energy.”  Regular grooming and plenty of exercise are two of the most obvious needs for this breed and neither were being met.

In a couple of weeks, Otis had been neutered and had regained his health, the foxtails were removed and his eye infection had been cured.  All that remained was to find someone familiar with the breed to love him forever.

This is a Happy Tail so you have probably already guessed that Otis has found a new loving home.  His new best friend grew up with a springer spaniel and she had been looking for one, but only wanted to rescue one–not buy one.  Now, Otis has a family to see to his every need—the wish we wished for him is now his reality.

–Scot