COLUMN: Chance To Live | Dog Rescued From Holt Has New Name, New Lease On Life

*This is a feature opinion column*

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Wednesday marked a week since an emaciated blue and gray pit bull was found curled in a ball and chained to an old car tire in a yard littered with garbage outside of a house in Holt.

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As one of this reporter's friends commented, it was like he had been thrown out on the cold ground like just another piece of trash.

But a week after he was scooped up by Tuscaloosa Police Department Lt. Susan Curvin and cared for by the good people at McLendon Veterinary Clinic, he has a new name and a new lease on life.

ALSO READ: Tuscaloosa Woman Charged With Aggravated Animal Cruelty After Dog Found Chained, Neglected

After being rescued from such deplorable conditions, the dog was named Chance and brought to the vet office in Alberta City, where it was found that he was dangerously malnourished, had heartworms and parvovirus, and had suffered with a chain embedded in his neck, resulting in a metal chain link that had to be surgically removed.

Curvin kept me updated minute by minute over the first couple of days, which she said were the most crucial for Chance as he had a difficult time keeping down water and growing an appetite as he was cared for around the clock by a loving veterinary technician.

Thanks to the generosity of those who read about Chance and his need for expensive medical care, there's been an outpouring of support to cover the costs, with McLendon Veterinary Clinic raising roughly $2,300 as of the publication of this story.

"He's doing really good and he's eating very, very eagerly — probably a little less eagerly than he wants," said McLendon's Piper Strgar, who has closely looked after Chance. "He wants to eat a lot more but we have to be really careful about it, just with how emaciated he is. We can't feed him too quick."

Chance, who is believed to be between a year and two years old, is likely feeling love for the first time in his short life and traded a dirty trash pit for a clean and safe kennel, where he snuggles with his second "Lamby" doll purchased for him by Curvin.

Curvin is a decorated police officer often called out to work animal cruelty cases and has become a kind of fairy godmother to the pooch.

Indeed, the first "Lamby" given to Chance by Curvin when he was initially rescued was likely infected with the dangerous parvovirus, so she threw it out and bought him another "Lamby" just like it.

If Chance could talk, he would probably say it's his favorite thing in the world, as he curled up to its warmth to find comfort when adjusting to his loving, but nonetheless foreign, surroundings.

A red turtleneck Christmas sweater that reads "HAPPY PAWLIDAYS" covers his visible ribs, but his big, Disney-like eyes are brighter and his tail is wagging more than ever thanks to the love and attention he's receiving.

Strgar said he came to the shelter weighing a pitiful 28 pounds and has since gained about five pounds back as his eating is closely monitored. But for a breed of dog unjustly saddled with something of a mean reputation, Chance has brought nothing but joy to everyone he's met in the week since he was saved.

"He is definitely getting some spunk back," she said. "He will try to get bags out of my big bag I have, because he knows his food is in there. Yesterday, I left him in his kennel and went to check on my dogs, and he knocked his can of food off of it and was trying to eat it and eat the glove that was on top of it."

The tail wags and appetite are positive signs, sure, but the reality is that Chance still has a long way to go before he's back to full health. And this is where the outpouring of support from our community will make such a difference.

"Obviously, his treatment for the parvo is already covered, so we're already done with that," Strgar said when asked about the next steps in his recovery. "We are still getting some donations coming in, which will go toward his heartworm treatment and his neutering."

She then explained that heartworm treatment can be different for each pet and is something they have to be sedated for — sedated using medicine that isn't cheap.

"I think it would likely all be covered or at least almost covered," Strgar said. "Once he's a little bit stronger and has a better body condition, he'll be able to start actual treatment. We gave him his first dose of heartworm prevention on Monday. We've started him on the antibiotic that's used to kill the adult heartworm. So, his phase one is technically going, because that one's a little bit easier and not as tough on them."

Countless readers have reached out to Tuscaloosa Patch to inquire about fostering Chance and members of the community seem to be queueing up a long line to adopt him.

"The plan right now is to keep him through the weekend as long as everything is still going well," Strgar said. "He is probably going to go to a different foster home on Monday. The concern is we don't know how he is with other dogs ... especially with him still not being neutered. So, either he's got a foster home lined up or we're going to keep him. He's not going to be going back to the shelter."

Those wishing to donate to Chance's medical care can call (205) 553-8306 or visit McLendon Veterinary Clinic, located at 1525 University Boulevard East in Tuscaloosa.

And any who wish to report potential animal cruelty or abuse are encouraged to call the Tuscaloosa Police Department at (205) 349-2121.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com