Thanks to Kind People, Dog Who Was Injured by a Wire Muzzle is Healed and Looking for a Home!

You probably remember the heart-wrenching rescue story of Dwayne, a two-year-old Pointer mix who was found on the streets of Tijuana by a rescuer. The poor dog was desperately scrounging for food while local residents threw scalding hot water and stones at him, disgusted by his deformities. The rescuer then discovered Dwayne’s original guardian, who had bound his mouth with a cruel wire-muzzle and regularly kicked him with sticks, was serving jail time for an unrelated offense. Dwayne was left to fend for himself on the streets.

To make matters worse, Dwayne was further wounded when he was attacked by two large dogs.

Dwayne made his way to the Helen Woodward Animal Center, an animal shelter located in Rancho Santa Fe, California. For the last few months, he has been receiving care, life-saving surgeries including facial reconstruction surgery, and therapeutic medical treatments. 

Now look at him! Thanks to animal lovers worldwide who helped raise over $40,000, as well as the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s dedication, he has recovered!

Dwayne is currently in foster care with the center’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Patricia Carter, but he is looking for a permanent home with a family who understands his needs. Maybe that’s with you?

To ensure the best possible home for this sweet boy, the Helen Woodward Animal Center is requesting a 100 word-or-less essay or a one-minute video to accompany each application, stating why the potential adopter would be best suited to Dwayne. Because of his unique past, the center also seeks adopters who have the following qualifications:

1. A family located in the San Diego Area – or within a two-hour drive.
2. A family with no other dogs or a home with one friendly and gentle dog. Dwayne loves other dogs but wants to be your No. 1!)
3. A family that will allow Dwayne to be inside for most of the day. Dwayne is house-trained and very respectful of boundaries. He loves being indoors with you!)
4. A family that understands Dwayne’s limitations. Dwayne has a lame front right leg. He still loves to frolic and play, but please no marathons or strenuous hikes.)

Generously, the center is offering half off all of Dwayne’s medical expenses for life, just as long as his new family brings him into the center for treatment. “It is going to be a very difficult decision and really hard for all of us to see him go, but Dwayne deserves it,” said Jennifer Shorey, Helen Woodward Animal Center Operations Director.

Think Dwayne is the perfect match for you? You can fill out an adoption application here or contact the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Adoption Department at 858-756-4117, ext. 1, or Adoptions@animalcenter.org. Even if you are unable to adopt Dwayne, please be sure to SHARE this post far and wide. The more people who read Dwayne’s story, the better chance he has at finding the perfect forever home.

For more information about the incredible work, the Helen Woodward Animal Center does to help our furry friends, click here.

All image source: Helen Woodward Animal Center