In honor of Guard Dog, the faithful chained dog in MUTTS with a heart of gold, we're sharing happy stories about real-life "guard dogs." This story was submitted by MUTTS reader Bethany Dalton. Thank you, Bethany!
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From what we have to go on, we think my rescue dog, Freddy Furcury, was likely a chained Guard Dog who escaped while he was still growing. He was found as a stray with a metal choke chain embedded in his neck. It was embedded so badly that the shelter workers immediately put him in the car and rushed him to the vet for surgery. He was also underweight so he had been on his own and in pain for quite awhile. If he had not been found then he would have died a slow and painful death from choking or infection without ever knowing love.
I knew all this before I adopted him, but a few days after adoption, the shelter asked if I wanted the photos they had taken of him (in case his abuser was caught) to show our vet as part of his medical records. He has scars and some fur loss that requires us to leave his collar loose but it doesn't look that bad now.
I was not prepared and was shocked to see just how bad it was! I sat there and just cried; I still cry when I see those pictures! I didn't realize how close he had come to literally being choked to death by his choke chain. He is a 60 lb. pitbull who loves with ALL his heart and is happiest sitting on your lap. How could anyone tie such a sweet baby outside and neglect him and cause all this pain? It really made me more sensitive to anyone leaving their dogs tied out, even for short periods of time. Dogs belong with you and as a part of your family, not tied outside, underfed, and forgotten about.
Freddy Furcury came into my life six weeks after I lost my Queeny girl (my 12-year-old boxer mix rescue). I was still crying daily over her loss but I needed a fur baby to help me through the loss. From the start, Freddy, who had been let down by humans to the point it almost killed him, was licking my tears away! He has gotten me through the worst of my grief and I have helped him learn how to be spoiled and protected.
Yes, he is still a "guard dog" from inside the house and will let me know if anyone steps foot in our driveway, but he will never be left outside alone except in our fenced backyard while I cook and watch him through the window. He is the best dog, and I can't believe someone else put so little value on his life. He is so happy hanging out with me or going for rides, anything that involves living life with his family and he is ready to go. I am forever grateful for the gift of Freddy in my life!
Interested in sharing your Guard Dog rescue story? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out at blog@MUTTS.com or post on Instagram using the hashtag #FreeGuardDog.
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