Three-Pound Cutie Treated at Angell Animal Medical to Re-Attach his Spine to his Head
BOSTON, Dec. 13, 2017 – If badges for courage were awarded to homeless animals then two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier “Scrappy” would surely win, say staff at the MSPCA-Angell who have been caring for the tiny four-legged since he arrived at the shelter in August barely able to walk, and with a worrisome leftward tilt to his head.
X-rays confirmed Scrappy was born with a congenital deformity marked by missing bone where his spine connects to his head. Since birth, Scrappy made do with these deformities but a tumble down the stairs prior to his surrender severely damaged his nervous system, and that made walking, running and playing very difficult for him.
Scrappy’s family was unable to meet his evolving needs and opted to surrender him to the MPSCA, which assumed responsibility for his care.
“Our best option was to fit Scrappy with an immobilizing head and neck brace, which he wore nonstop for two months to allow scar tissue to form,” said Dr. Jennifer Michaels of Angell Animal Medical Center’s neurology team. “This scar tissue established a more secure connection between the two bones of his spine and significantly reduced his neurological symptoms.”
From Broken and Homeless to Healing and Hopeful
Andrea Bessler, a veterinary technician at the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center, has been fostering Scrappy since he first arrived on Aug. 23rd and is thrilled with his transformation.
“He absolutely lives up to his name,” said Bessler. “Now that the brace is off for good, and he’s literally dancing for joy!”
Bessler says that Scrappy is tireless and so friendly—the kind of dog who is everyone’s best friend. “All he wants is to be with me: to be held, petted and loved. He’s going to make a fantastic pet for one lucky individual or family.”
Bessler and her colleague, adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger, are hopeful that as the Holiday spirit sweeps through the region a very special someone will open their home to Scrappy.
“He needs the kind of home where he can be the center of attention,” said Krieger. “He’s still a bit unsteady on his feet so we’re hoping someone makes Scrappy the center of their world—because we know that person will quickly become the center of his world.”
Interested adopters can visit Scrappy during open hours at the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center in Jamaica Plain or email adoption@mspca.org with questions.
