He arrived at the Kerrville Humane Society two years ago as a puppy and will soon undergo surgery to repair problem knees.
KERRVILLE, Texas — Our “Forgotten Friends” series showcases a dog or cat each week that has spent a lengthy time at an area shelter, just waiting for someone to notice them and bring them home to love.
This week’s Forgotten Friend is Neo, a roughly 2-year-old Australian Shepherd mix who was found as a stray and brought to the Kathleen Cailloux Humane Society in Kerrville as a puppy two years ago. He suffers from a unique health issue that is being addressed, but it will be a long and expensive road to recovery. He needs a very special human who is willing to commit to helping him thrive once he is pain-free.
“He has grown up at the shelter and is fiercely loved by everyone,” said shelter staff.
As Neo has gotten older, his condition has deteriorated to the point where he now faces surgery to help. His wheelchair that he has been using is cumbersome and the veterinarian believes surgery will give him the pain-free life that he deserves.
“All of our dogs are special, and Neo is no different, but he needs your help, because he is facing a very unique health issue,” said shelter staff. “He has a Grade 3 luxating patella in his back right knee, which means his kneecap pops in and out of place.”
Neo has already had one surgery, which was unsuccessful. He has since visited with a specialist and is about to undergo a surgery on the stronger of his two back legs, so that he will have at least one solid leg to stand on.
“His back left leg has a Grade 4 luxating patella, which means that knee stays permanently out of place,” said shelter staff. “Once we perform the surgery on his stronger leg, we will make a plan for the weaker one to be done next.”
Because of this, Neo is facing a long road to recovery, and one that is expensive.
Neo may have trouble with his knees, but his personality doesn’t reflect his health issues. “He wants to play and run with other dogs in spite having weak legs,” said shelter staff. “He is probably in some discomfort but always has a happy attitude and is eager to see anyone who comes to visit him in his kennel.”
He is one of the happiest dogs at the shelter. He gets along great with other dogs, but it would be best for him to either be an only dog, or with a calmer, older dog who won’t jump on him causing injury. No roughhousing dogs!
“We rarely, if ever, ask for help but for Neo, we are,” said shelter staff. “Neo’s surgeries will be very costly, but we are committed to giving him a pain-free and healthy life.”
The shelter says that any contribution helps, and they hope that a veterinarian will see this story and offer to help offset the cost of his surgery. You can send donations to the shelter directly at 2900 Junction Highway, Kerrville 78028. If you are a veterinarian and would like to potentially help out with the surgery, please contact the shelter by email at hsk@hctc.net or call them at (830) 367-7722.
Neo has lots of toys inside his kennel and he tosses them up in the air and plays catch with himself right now. Because he has lived for most of his life inside a kennel, staff think he can be very easily crate-trained. And Neo loves treats.
“Since he can no longer play in the yard, shelter staff and volunteers sit with him in his kennel and love on him,” said shelter staff. “He loves to curl up in your lap and give you kisses.”
The most important for Neo right now is finding him a great home filled with love and someone with the time to focus on helping him through what lies ahead.
“We need a very special person with a heart of gold who will see what an incredible dog Neo is and will want to adopt him,” said shelter staff. “He will have a long recovery, but it will be worth it in the long run.”
Neo does great on a leash and loves going for walks. He will enjoy them much more following his surgeries.
Other than his knees, he’s healthy, neutered, current on all of his vaccinations and just waiting for you to bring him home and love him.
CHECK OUT HIS PHOTOS!
Loveable dog named Neo facing long recovery from major surgery | Forgotten Friends
“He’s a genuinely sweet boy who is amazingly upbeat to be in such bad shape,” said shelter staff.
If you are interested in adopting Neo and being his forever family, you can visit the Kathleen Cailloux Humane Society in Kerrville at 2900 Junction Highway. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until Noon and again from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The adoption fee for Neo is $85.
Applications can also be emailed to them at hsk@hctc.net. The shelter’s phone number is (830) 367-7722. Shelter staff says that it might be better to call or go in person because they check voicemail more frequently than emails.
For whoever adopts Neo, Lucy’s Doggy Daycare & Spa will be lending a paw by offering them a free “Glow Up” Day at the Spa, which includes a massage therapy bath and Pawdicure. One of Lucy’s most cherished core values is to continue Lucy’s legacy of giving back to pups in need, as Lucy herself was a rescue!
The shelter says they can always use volunteers at their resale shop, which helps to support the shelter. The resale shop is staffed entirely by volunteers. You can support them by donating gently used items, or by stopping by and purchasing stuff. The shop is affectionately known as the “pick of the litter resale shop.” The shop is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays and on major holidays. Call them at (830) 367-7755.
Monetary donations are always welcome, too. Send them to their post office box at P.O. Box 294810 Kerrville, Texas 78029.
They always need things to help with the care of the animals. Check out their current wish list below.
You can follow Kathleen Cailloux Humane Society on Facebook.
Remember when you adopt a shelter pet, you save two lives… the one you bring home with you and the one that now will be saved because the shelter has more room.
If you know of a Forgotten Friend that has been overlooked and is still looking for a “fur-ever” home, contact Andrea at acarden@kens5.com.