A sick dog who lost his nose after being attacked by other dogs is sorely in need of a home — and now, due to a local news story, he has loads of prospective dog-moms and dog-dads.
Sniffles the dog has had a tough existence thus far, abandoned in Puerto Rico where he was attacked by other strays and picked up a full variety of health problems.
But since he came to the US for medical attention and a Florida-based animal rescue disseminated his story, Sniffles is beginning to do much better – and may soon find a home.
Sniffles is believed to have lived in very terrible conditions back in Puerto Rico. He contracted multiple parasites, including hookworms and whipworms, and is in dire need of dental repair.
What’s more, he no longer has a nose, after he was reportedly attacked by other stray dogs who left him with multiple wounds and other ailments.
After he was discovered in Puerto Rico by a local animal rescue group, he was finally adopted out to a family in the US, where it was believed he could obtain better medical treatment.
Yet his placement didn’t last long. Sniffles kept running away, and because he required constant medical attention, this put him more at risk.
Ultimately, he was taken in by Poodle and Pooch Rescue in Florida, a volunteer organization that rescues 500 to 600+ dogs every year.
The rescue took him in on December 19, and promptly set to work attempting to find him a home, garnering him a December 24 profile on WESH, an Orlando news station.
After then, Sniffles’ luck has altered. At least 100 people have called the shelter to express interest in adopting him, and his story continues to spread.
‘He’ll need an adoptive that is devoted to cleaning his nasal passage twice each day and someone who will give him eye drops each day for a disease called dry eye,’ Rebecca Lynch, a spokesperson for the shelter stated, said in a statement to DailyMail.com
‘He is full of parasites, both hook worms and whip worms, indicating of unclean living conditions before to coming into our care.
‘He also tested positive for Ehrlichia, a tick caused disease. We are treating him and he should make a full recovery.
But despite his ailments and hardships, Sniffles is resilient and still adores people.
‘Sniffles is a resilient little boy,’ added Lynch. ‘Despite his past, and after some initial timid nature and perplexity, Sniffles has really started to break out of his shell.
‘He likes to snuggle, wags his tail, spends time outside, interacts well with other dogs and he makes lovely little snorting noises owing to his condition.
‘He’s a lovable and happy dog and we’re glad that he’s gained so much attention since his story aired locally in Central Florida.
‘Although Sniffles look is distinctive, his story, alas, is not. Sniffles is just one of several special needs dogs that we accept into our rescue every week.
While the rescue is currently exploring some of the fantastic choices they have for Sniffles, they hope folks who don’t take him home will adopt another special needs pet, give, or foster animals.
In the interim, a local woman named Genesis Diaz has been fostering Sniffles.
‘This morning I woke up and he was at the side of my bed, starring at me, then he ran over and did a little whirl and started licking my face,’ she told WESH.
The animal rescue workers are smitten, too.
‘He’s just a wonderful old man. Everyone at the vet’s office has fallen in love with him,’ said Michelle Wacker, the medical director of Poodle and Pooch Rescue. ‘He’s a healthy dog. He just looks a little odd.’
