Several organizations came together to help a small town in southwest Colorado with low cost spay and neuter clinics, vaccination clinics and writing local animal legislation on behalf of a town and its residents. A few volunteers were called to come on to a property where there were several litters of puppies, in addition to many adult dogs who were living their lives on three-foot chains.

Gus was a very fitting name for this charming and handsome boy. Besides needing a bath and getting him off that chain, he was a big, fluffy, happy boy. There were over 40 dogs on the ranch and the owner only wanted the puppies and a few adult dogs removed. He was not going to let Gus or the other dogs go to safe local rescues and shelters. After several hours of kind dialogue, the owner of the ranch agreed to allow the rescuers to remove all but three dogs on the ranch. He also agreed to take the three dogs left in his care to a spay/neuter/vaccination clinic that was being held in town the following day.

Gus was brought into the clinic, along with 35 other dogs removed from the ranch, where they were all vetted and the adult dogs were spayed or neutered. All dogs were networked statewide with PACFA licensed rescues and shelters and all but one was placed and transported to safety. The one left behind was Gus. On the very same day that Gus was removed from that chain, he was adopted by the veterinarian who had neutered him earlier in the day. Gus was renamed Gussy. Handsome Gussy is a true rag to riches story. He lived the beginning of his life on a chain but lived the rest of it either training in agility or lying next to a fireplace on a beautiful property in central Colorado.

Kindness, compassion, professional communication, and skilled advocates are to be credited for saving these dogs from a life on a chain. Each dog went to an accredited Colorado no kill animal shelter or rescue and each dog found a great home. You go Gussy!!

Gus

Tony

Jude