The little Chihuahua's splayed paws and bowed legs remain as evidence of the worst kind of treatment. He spent his first eight years in a puppy mill, in a cage. Demodectic mange, yeast infections of his skin and ears, a heart murmur and hypothyroidism plagued him and were left untreated. The plaque on his teeth had formed such a solid mass in his mouth that his jaw fractured multiple times.
Finally, he was released from his excruciating time in the puppy mill because his condition had deteriorated so that he was of no more use to his owners. He was surrendered to Little Angels Pet Sanctuary in Bellevue, Ohio.
For a year, his foster mom treated all of his conditions. She taught
him such rudimentary things as how to walk on grass and, more
importantly, how to trust people. She also posted him on Petfinder as a
special needs dog.
That's just what Kathy Farkas and her husband of Gahanna, Ohio, were looking for. They wanted to add a special needs Chihuahua to the other three Chis in their happy and loving pack.
"The minute I saw Iggy's photo, I knew he was the one," Kathy says.
Today, all of his teeth have been removed, the yeast infection is under control and the mange is gone. He'll be on medication for his heart and thyroid for the rest of his life, but Kathy says, "He thinks his pills are treats and loves the beef-flavored pill pockets."
She credits Iggy's new Chi sibs with teaching him to be a dog. "Not only can he walk on grass, he is now running and sniffing all around the yard."
Each Friday, Iggy goes to work with Kathy and she takes the opportunity to tell people his story. "He is a joy to have and a great ambassador for Petfinder." He is also a four-legged reminder about the harsh realities of the puppy mill industry.
Previous Happy Tails:
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
That's just what Kathy Farkas and her husband of Gahanna, Ohio, were looking for. They wanted to add a special needs Chihuahua to the other three Chis in their happy and loving pack.
"The minute I saw Iggy's photo, I knew he was the one," Kathy says.
Today, all of his teeth have been removed, the yeast infection is under control and the mange is gone. He'll be on medication for his heart and thyroid for the rest of his life, but Kathy says, "He thinks his pills are treats and loves the beef-flavored pill pockets."
She credits Iggy's new Chi sibs with teaching him to be a dog. "Not only can he walk on grass, he is now running and sniffing all around the yard."
Each Friday, Iggy goes to work with Kathy and she takes the opportunity to tell people his story. "He is a joy to have and a great ambassador for Petfinder." He is also a four-legged reminder about the harsh realities of the puppy mill industry.
Previous Happy Tails:
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
What a beutiful story! Good that Iggy has a wonderfu owner who is taking care of him. I have a Chihuahua-Toy Puddle and I think Chihuahua are beutiful dogs. Congratulations Iggy.
Please put me on your mailing list. My interest is to give a long haired Chihuahua female youthful ,house broken maybe, but a lot of loving in a good healthy none-smoking home and she will get to do a lot of traveling, beach combing, fishing, camping and have the best of everything and loves to be spoiled. Thank you James Applegate.
What a wonderful outcome to a pitiful beginning for this precious pup! I have 2 chihuahuas and I just think Iggy is adorable. Obviously he has been fortunate enough now to be with a terrific owner, Keep up the good work!!!
It is great now to see her well now. Ban puppy mills
What a great story.I to have a chi.Sandy is my angel puppy.Sandy was put on the radio to give away.She was 6 years old and we were her7home.She had no fur her teeth were roted her legs had been broke.She is the best thing that icould ever have asked for.God sent her to me like he did to them.