Odd ‘behaviors’ forced owners to return dog to shelter. It was something deeper
.jpeg "Puffy during playtime")
A dog in Texas has been on a rough journey, but with the help of a Texas shelter and a loving foster family, he looks like he’ll make it through.
Puffy is no stranger to Austin Pets Alive! since it was his first home before being adopted. But over the years, his owners started to notice something that would eventually lead the now-senior pup back to the shelter’s doors.
“Puffy, a 10-year-old senior, first came to APA! in 2015 from Austin Animal Center. He was just a tiny squish back then and it didn’t take long for him to get scooped up! Puffy remained with that adopter for the next five years, but (over time), the adopter began noticing a wobbly walk and consistent head tilt,” the shelter said in an Aug. 21 Facebook post.
“As time went on, Puffy also developed some behaviors that were tough for the family; ultimately, the adopter made the choice to surrender him back into our care. While we don’t have a confirmed diagnosis, our medical team noted that his presenting quirks—the head tilt, wobbly walk, and gradual change of behavior—were likely due to a neurological issue that he’d had since birth.”
Helping Puffy was a must for the shelter, but the facility needed a hand financially. So The Grey Muzzle Organization stepped in and took care of the medication needed to help his wobbly body, his anxiety and his heartworm prevention, the shelter said.
Now, Puffy is doing much better.
“Today, Puffy and his foster family—with support from our behavior and medical team–have established a routine to help him be his best self. Puffy’s age (along with noted increased neurological symptoms) tell us that he is likely in his golden era, but he’s still as joyous and full of life as ever,” the shelter said.
To find out more information about Puffy, visit the shelter’s website.