The Anti-Cruelty Society has been in the news lately after 80 dogs rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill were taken there. Twenty-three of those dogs have been adopted out. The rest are looking for homes.
And so is Calvin, one lucky dog. He was purchased at a Chicago pet store about 5 months ago. But three months later the very sick puppy was handed over to Anti-Cruelty Society.
"Calvin came in about two months ago a very, very thin emaciated puppy. The owner couldn't afford medical care for him anymore," said Dr. Robyn Barbiers, pres. Anti Cruelty Society.
Calvin is a healthy eight pounds now-- but when he arrived here he weighed just half of that and putting him to sleep was a very strong possibility.
"Absolutely. Because initially we thought he was just a victim of starvation. Someone not feeding him ... you could see every rib, his hips. He was in really, really bad shape," said Dr. Barbiers.
Calvin was basically starving to death despite the fact that he was eating like a horse. That's when they discovered there was something wrong with his pancreas. And that's when his life turned around.
Enzymes on his food twice a day solved the problem. He was eating plenty and was finally putting on weight.
"It was amazing. It was an almost immediate recovery for him. When we started adding enzymes to his food he rapidly gained weight and became a normal boisterous puppy," said Nicole Campos, The Anti Cruelty Society.
Calvin is now up for adoption. But because of his medication he will be an expensive pet.
"He's going to need the medication for the rest of his life. It's going to be about a $100 a month, give or take a little bit," said Dr. Barbiers.
So Calvin is now looking for a new home. One with some extra dog dollars.
