Intake date: 06/01/2019
Hank’s story starts in an abandoned trailer home in Tennessee. He, his siblings, and many other animals were found in dire conditions by one of our rescue partners, Animal Rescue Corps. The animals were alone, hungry, and needed immediate medical attention. While Animal Rescue Corps stepped in to save all of the cats and dogs in the hoarding situation, they needed help to vet and care for them. Teamwork is the backbone of rescue, so we immediately agreed to take some of the animals.
That’s how Hank found himself in Chicago. Like many dogs who experience neglect, Hank arrived with Demodex mange. This is a non-contagious skin condition that can be extremely painful and itchy. Thankfully, it’s easy to treat with oral medication, monthly preventions, and medicated baths. Upon arrival Hank started medication for his Demodex, and then placed into a #foster home.
Foster homes are so important for rescue pups because it’s where they get healthy, build confidence, and learn how to be a dog. Everything from walking up stairs to playing with toys was foreign to Hank, but with time, patience, and lots of treats, he opened up to be the sweetest, happiest puppy. All he wanted to do was snuggle with his foster parents and play with squeaky toys.
Some dogs do best outside of the city, and Hank is one of them. While in foster care, we learned that Hank was spooked by busy streets, other dogs on leashes, and crowds of people. To set him up for success, we knew he should be adopted out to a quiet neighborhood.
As fate would have it, Hank was introduced to his foster mom’s parents in the Chicago suburbs. They immediately fell in love, and Hank was able to stay in the family! They adopted him, and Hank’s now living a spoiled life with a dog brother named Logan, a yard, and walks in the woods.
Success stories like Hank’s remind us why we do what we do. He started his life abandoned in a trailer, and thanks to a little bit of teamwork, he’ll spend the rest of his days cuddling with his humans, wrestling with his brother, and squeaking all the squeaky toys his heart desires.
