As if being a homeless dog wasn’t horrible enough, this one had a family before being abandoned on a beach in Newport, California. To make matters worse, a growth on his side was causing him to carry an extra 46 pounds.
Fortunately, a nice stranger discovered Henry, the dog, strolling the beach and alerted Valerie Schomburg of Newport Beach Animal Control. Nothing could have prepared the NBAC rescuers for what Henry looked like. They were used to scooping up stray dogs in horrible shape.
The tumor was so large that it was pressing on his right front leg in the shoulder area, preventing him from walking. He was having difficulty not just finding food, but also getting around.
Despite all of the challenges Henry had faced in such a short amount of time, he maintained a zest for life. He was perpetually cheerful and wagging his tail, and he adored everyone he encountered. Henry would slobber kisses on anyone who got too close.
Fortunately, Schomburg was able to raise enough funds, with the help of grants, for Henry to have surgery to remove the massive tumor. Despite the tumor’s malignant nature, it did not spread.
The surgery was a success, and Henry felt as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders. After the tumor was removed, he weighed 78 pounds and could finally walk about with ease. After his surgery, he went to live with a loving foster through the Newport Beach Animal Shelter and enthusiastically made up for missed time.
After the media picked up on his story, Henry became a local superstar, and he now has followers from all around the world. People brought him presents and snacks from all around the world to express their gratitude for being inspired by his story.
Henry died quietly in his sleep, but not before making the most of his time on Earth and experiencing love for the first time. His bright smile and continuous tail-wag indicated his limitless enthusiasm for life.
Although his death is heartbreaking, some good has come from it. After doing more research, they were able to track down Henry’s previous owner. Her criminal case is still continuing after she was charged by the OC District Attorney’s Office.
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