Like us, you probably feel that all animals deserve a chance, regardless of their situation. A good example of this is Mickey, who arrived at the animal shelter weighing only 33 pounds. He was so thin that he couldn’t afford to miss another meal but he had a very specific problem.
One of the difficulties that Mickey was experiencing was an inability to get his food down. It wasn’t a matter of not liking the food he was being fed, it was a physical ailment and it was costing him his life!
Posted by CTV Lethbridge on Thursday, December 3, 2015
Barb Grodicky works at the Lethbridge District Humane Society in Alberta, Canada. She had this to say to CTV news:
“His problem is with his esophagus, and it does not contract to push the food or water down, and so it’s very difficult for him to eat by himself.”
Not willing to simply give up, the staff at the Humane Society did something incredible. They put the 7-year-old dog in a high chair and began spoon feeding him. Eating in this position allows the food to slide down his throat.
It takes approximately 15 minutes for Mickey to eat his dinner. He is fed a specially prepared mix of wet dog food, ground kibble and pumpkin.
Although it has taken some extra work, Mickey is responding well to being fed in this way. Since arriving at the shelter 2 years ago, he has already gained 15 pounds!
Posted by CTV Lethbridge on Thursday, December 3, 2015
The staff love feeding and caring for Mickey and he is a happy dog, but finding a home for an animal with these types of issues has proven to be difficult.
It is not just the fact that his specific diet is expensive in comparison with regular dog food, but feeding him can be rather messy.
Although that may be the case, Mickey, like every animal, is worth each and every spoonful.
Posted by CTV Lethbridge on Thursday, December 3, 2015
Make sure you share this incredible story with others.