HERCULES UPDATE: Hercules had a play date yesterday (Friday). Two admirers and their boxers visited and he had a great time impressing everyone with his cuteness. He had lots of fun playing with his new boxer friends but we think he may have over did it. Today when he got up he didn’t even want to harass Gina’s cat. He may have been in a little pain. Gina gave him some medicine and he’s resting in the love of his foster home and family.

HERCULES UPDATE: Hercules is becoming quite the star. He’ll be visiting friends at the Paul Mitchell School in Sterling Heights next week. They’ve been having a fundraiser for him. He’s already been doing some neighborhood garage sales. And, sometime in the next two weeks, he should be going for his first hydrotherapy session in hopes that he can build muscle and flexibility.  We still haven’t heard back from Michigan State but our doctors will be following up and we’ll be updating everyone. We want to continue to thank everyone praying and donating money and services. We’re hoping that Hercules can be the poster boy for all of the tortured, abused, and neglected cats and dogs who are saved each day by the dedicated rescue groups that we strive to help. ~ diana

Hercules is becoming quite the star. He’ll be visiting friends at the Paul Mitchell School in Sterling Heights next week. They’ve been having a fundraiser for him. He’s already been doing some neighborhood garage schools. And, sometime in the next two weeks, he should be going for his first hydrotherapy session. We still haven’t heard back from Michigan State but our doctors will be following up and we’ll be updating everyone. We want to continue to thank everyone praying and donating money and services. We’re hoping that Hercules can be the poster boy for all of the tortured, abused, and neglected cats and dogs who are saved each day by the dedicated rescue groups that we strive to help. ~ diana

More Information about Hercules as we’ve had many adoption inquiries. — A Fracture Specialist from Michigan State is going to review his case, so towards the end of the week or next week for sure he will contact us. Things have been crazy with lots of ups and downs. In the meantime we’re doing physical therapy for him. He is in good spirits and just a lover… Potential adoption is a long ways away for Hercules. His long-term prognosis with these injuries is guarded and only time will tell when/if pain sets in. He may need amputation in the future depending on how things go, so he is a special needs puppy, but we are doing all we can for him and will continue.. Thank You to everyone for your support and we’ll keep updates on his progress. If and when the time for adoption comes up, we’ll let everyone know. His home will depend on the requirements needed for him to fulfill a good quality of life but because of the generosity of so many, he will definitely have the funds he needs. More information to follow. ~ Gina and Diana

Just talked to Gina and Hercules is resting comfortably at home after his long ride to Lansing and back. Although the fracture specialist was not available, he was seen by a doctor who will review his findings with the specialist and get back to us by the middle of next week. Thus far, the doctor today is agreeing with Dr. Balaj and saying that an operation may not be possible. The MSU doctor believes that with concentrated therapy, Hercules could have a shot at a reasonably good life but it will take a special family to give him what he needs. To all of our donors, I will be in touch just in case Hercules cannot be operated on, we will be happy to return your donation. Although, I will say that every day there are many dogs and cats who face the cruelty that Hercules had, and 4 Paws 1 Heart is always there to help as much as we can. But for now, we’ll hold tight until we hear from the other specialist and I will let everyone know by e-mail, facebook, and website. Thank You and May God Bless everyone for their prayers and donations. Dogs and cats are amazing creatures who continue to love unconditionally and I feel blessed that we’ve been able to help so many. ~ diana

Story of 5-month-old puppy that suffered abuse, neglect
www.clickondetroit.com/lifestyle/pets/Hercules-needs-your-help

Puppy is permanently disfigured  by owner in Eastpointe.  Now help is needed for specialty care..

On the day of May 8th 2012 Hercules’ owner pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty charge and he was given a misdemeanor with one year non- reporting probation as his penalty and no ownership of another dog allowed for 1 year within the city of Eastpointe.

The new name for the puppy is Hercules because he is amazing…

Hercules is a 5 month old white boxer puppy.  He has suffered weeks of pain and neglect at the hands of his owner who broke both back legs in three different areas.  His femurs were broken directly above the knees and his left Tibia (below the knee) was broken.  Reason per owner is because he got into the garbage can, but three different stories were given in court as to how the breaks happened.

It all started when an Eastpointe resident saw Hercules in front of his home, and not able to walk.  She called authorities who then required the owner to seek medical attention for his puppy.  The owner was forced to take Hercules to the veterinarian, but he declined all medical recommendations.  No treatment, no diagnostics, and no humane euthanasia was initiated for a suffering disfigured puppy, so he walked out of the vet. free and clear.  Not only was Hercules  broken, but he was starved with every bone in his body sticking out.

Thanks to the compassion and determination of the animal control officer Matt, Hercules was taken from the home the next day.  He was then given to “4 paws 1 heart” a nonprofit organization where he received immediate medical attention through our doctors.  Based on diagnostics the injuries occurred about 2 months ago.  Meanwhile, this puppy has been compensating by weight bearing only on his front legs.  He hobbles to get around, lifts his back feet off the ground, and carries his weight mainly on the front end of his body.  According to our doctor injuries such as these are primarily caused by extreme blunt force.

According to our Veterinarian, “Some examples of this trauma include being hit by a car, beaten with a bat, or kicked with the intent to cause bodily harm.  The dogs pain and emotional discomfort would have been immediately evident, and medical treatment was never sought by the owner”.

24 hours after the court hearing it was discovered that the injuries on Hercules might be inoperable due to the  new bone formation as a result of the leg’s being broken for so long.

You would never know that Hercules is in pain because since he has been with us he has received nothing but love and safety.  He gives face washes with his kisses, plays with his toy’s, loves his new bed, chews on his dog bones, loves car rides, and  wags his tail nonstop. He has since received nothing but love.  I want him to know there will be no more suffering, pain, neglect, or torture at the hands of a human for the rest of his life.

We need help to fix Hercules and our next step is to see an orthopedic specialist for a consultation.  4 Paws 1 Heart is a nonprofit organization that pays for medical care to injured  animals.  We are not in a financial position to afford a $5-$10,000 dollar surgery, so we are asking for help for Hercules.  This is the worst case of animal cruelty that I’ve seen in 10 years.

I’m asking that we get the awareness out there to immediately report animal cruelty when you suspect it, pursue it within your city, and support changing laws to protect these animals that have hardly any rights, or value within the legal system.  Hercules’ owner got a misdemeanor equivalent to a parking ticket for breaking his puppy’s legs, permanently disfiguring him, starving him, and neglecting him.  What if this was a child?  Would it matter then?  This is wrong, inhumane, and barbaric.  If the community doesn’t help out then things will never change.

We couldn’t get justice for Hercules in the legal system, but we are reaching out for help in the community to bring awareness to this case. We want justice for Hercules.  Our goal is to give him the chance to be “fixed” and live a somewhat normal life.

Hercules is finally in a safe place and he is a bundle of love.  We just don’t want him to be in pain or ever suffer again.

More to Follow —

Gina