Abused dog makes full recovery

BROOKSVILLE - Members of the Hernando County SPCA are amazed that a seven year old poodle, named Liberace, is still alive.

"He just wants to be loved and held," said Tracie Steger, a volunteer at the shelter.

His desire for love and attention is understandable based on what Liberace has been through. He was found, near death, on the side of a road in Brooksville. When Liberace arrived at the Animal Care Center of Weeki Wachee, Veterinarian Vickie Salton had her doubts about his prognosis.

“He was very close to death," she said.

The dog was not only several underweight, he also had a severe injury to his abdominal area that needed immediate life saving surgery.

"The tissue was dead black, literally dripping pus. The odor was just terrible he was in bad shape. Thin, dehydrated just over all clinically looked poor," said Salton.

Now, three weeks later, SPCA members are amazed at his progress.

"He's fun, he's funny he walks around with socks and skips around like a dolphin. He does circles up on his legs, he sits," Steger said.

The story for the SPCA in Hernando County is still incomplete. As it turns out, two boys found the dog along a street in Brooksville. They picked him up and carried him two miles to the SPCA shelter for help. But now, three weeks later, the SPCA still does not know who those boys are.

"I assume they came from the middle school," said Donna, a SPCA volunteer. "I called, I spoke to their resource officer he looked it up for me he couldn't find their names."

The SPCA believes the boys names are Rob and Danny but are not positive.

"I think the general public should be aware that there are children out there that are fantastic," said Beverly Hansen, another volunteer at the shelter.

In addition to trying to find the boys who saved Liberace, there is another challenge: paying for his medical care. The surgery and rehabilitation could cost up to $4,000.

The SPCA has set up a special fund to help with the medical care. Donations can be made at the SPCA 2nd Chance Fund at the BB&T Bank, 5331 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill. Donations can also be made directly to the SPCA of Hernando County, P.O. Box 3161, Spring Hill, FL 34611.