Name: BLACKYS
M/F: Male
DoB: July 2015
Adult size: Medium
Admitted to PAWS: July 2022

Shoulder height: approx. 47 cm
Height to head: approx. 57 cm
Length: approx. 65 cm

Three stray dogs had made their home in a field and a local animal lover fed them daily and tried to gain their trust but was unable to catch them.  They were there for months and it became apparent that one of them was pregnant. Then the owner of the land made it clear that the dogs had to go - we hate to think what might have happened to them if they weren't caught. So the lady feeding them begged for help, which kind people offered.

Luckily, the pregnant dog was caught and went to another shelter.  Sadly, another dog died. That left the one we now call Blackys, who had a terrible wound that required medical care.  Since it wasn't a simple case of walking up to him and putting a lead over his head, the lady who had been feeding them and a few helpers were able to trap him and so he came to PAWS.

On examination we could see that he had a very nasty, infected bite in a very delicate area (!) and he was also showing signs of Leishmaniasis. His skin was scaly and he had many bald spots. To sum him up, he was a total mess.

Once under PAWS' care and with the support of a very kind sponsor, Blackys was operated on and nursed back to health. Of course, he still has Leishmaniasis (and will probably have it his whole life) but it is being treated and the typical signs of the disease have disappeared. Thankfully, his blood tests indicated that his kidneys and liver are not affected.  He will require daily medication and regular blood tests but beyond that you would never know that he wasn't 100% fit.

He is a changed dog, unrecognisable from the miserable creature that came to us. His coat is glossy, the bald patches have gone, he has come out of his shell and lost his great fear of people - now actually enjoying human company and attention.  He is a gentle, loving boy who can be a little bit shy at first, but soon overcomes any reticence.