No one knows where he came from. With no microchip, no collar and no one coming to claim him, Hank the hound was alone, weak and extremely sick B次元官网网址� just out of puppyhood at age 2.

He couldnB次元官网网址檛 have known his life was about to change for the best when he wandered into a local garage and collapsed.

Experienced dog rescuer Heather MacPherson, along with frequenters of the local Facebook groups, had seen Hank before, wandering around for at least a week before he came to a stop. He was clearly getting sicker and sicker and walked quite literally until he could walk no more, taking shelter in a neighbourhood garage one fateful day.

B次元官网网址淗e wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get up,B次元官网网址� MacPherson said. B次元官网网址�(The homeowner) posted he didnB次元官网网址檛 know what to do with this dog.B次元官网网址�

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With the help of a volunteer and a pickup truck, MacPherson whisked Hank off to Kent Veterinary Clinic. MacPherson said Dr. Laura Madsen stayed late with Hank, making sure he stayed hydrated. However, HankB次元官网网址檚 condition deteriorated overnight.

B次元官网网址淗e started vomiting, he was very, very thirsty,B次元官网网址� she recalled. B次元官网网址淲e brought him back in the morning, and he was very sick and extremely dehydrated.B次元官网网址�

Though Hank was dealing with a severe gastrointestinal infection, he seemed determined to keep going. Dr. Carli Ricka administered medication and gave Hank fluids via IV, a task MacPherson took over later that night when she took him home.

At that point, there was about a 20 to 25 per cent chance that Hank wouldnB次元官网网址檛 survive. Tests revealed his bowels were full of gas and he was not passing stool. There were fears Hank may have suffered from gastric torsion, a life-threatening and often fatal disorder in which a dogB次元官网网址檚 stomach fills with gas and it becomes twisted inside them.

All while Hank was fighting for his life, the community ramped up its collective generosity to donate money to help cover his veterinary bills along with a raincoat, bowls, dishes, towels, food and rides to the vet.

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B次元官网网址淧eople really came together. It was so encouraging,B次元官网网址� MacPherson said. B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 so incredibly amazing is it all came together. (The community) completely covered his vet bills, neutering and vaccines for the new owners. Hank kind of became AgassizB次元官网网址檚 dog; heB次元官网网址檚 famous in Harrison Hot Springs, too!B次元官网网址�

After a few gruelling, long days, Hank was showing signs of recovery. A few days into recovery and he started eating a bit of solid food, much to MacPhersonB次元官网网址檚 joy. The gas in his intestines started to go down and life returned to his eyes.

B次元官网网址淚t was pretty miraculous; he was on deathB次元官网网址檚 door and very, very sick,B次元官网网址� MacPherson said. B次元官网网址淔or the first two or three days, he just stared into space. He could barely hold his head up, and he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 walk. We had to lift him up and carry him out.B次元官网网址�

Soon, the dogB次元官网网址檚 personality started to show through. A few of HankB次元官网网址檚 quirks rose to the surface as he rested. For a dog who was clearly emaciated due to his condition, Hank proved to be a bit picky with food. It had to be turkey. Not veggies covered in turkey grease. Not turkey that had touched fish or veggies. Definitely not turkey with medication or vitamins in it. His keen sense of smell due to his hound heritage ensured he would get his turkey and accept no substitutes or alterations.

After a series of B次元官网网址渉uge victoriesB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� with him walking on his own and passing stool B次元官网网址� Hank was at long last discharged. There was no torsion detected in his bowels, and he began gaining weight and strength as he continued to fight the GI infection.

B次元官网网址淚t was pretty remarkable and pretty quick,B次元官网网址� MacPherson said of his recovery. B次元官网网址淣ow heB次元官网网址檚 got lots of energy.B次元官网网址�

Hank now lives with Harry Maslin, a heavy mechanic who lives out in Harrison Hot Springs. Hank is a regular at MaslinB次元官网网址檚 Abbotsford workplace, traveling with his adoptive dad to work three times a week.

B次元官网网址淗e just seemed, honestly, like he wanted to love but was scared to love (at first),B次元官网网址� Maslin said of meeting Hank for the first time. B次元官网网址淚f only a dog could talk, you know? He could tell us what heB次元官网网址檚 been through.B次元官网网址�

Maslin said it took Hank a little bit to warm up to the kids, but it was clear he had a very gentle nature.

Hank has since developed an unlikely friendship with the family cat and loves to be wherever his humans are. His favourite pastimes now include running and chasing balls, but the concept of fetch is something heB次元官网网址檚 still working on.

Hank is quick to make friends with other people and always has a smile on his face.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 doing excellent,B次元官网网址� Maslin said. B次元官网网址淗e loves animals, everyone and anyone. He definitely loves to run and be outside.B次元官网网址�

Hank enjoys walks in Harrison Hot Springs and has earned notoriety throughout the community.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 famous,B次元官网网址� Maslin said. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 walk him without someone recognizing him.B次元官网网址�

In MacPhersonB次元官网网址檚 mind, quick action and a caring community saved HankB次元官网网址檚 life.

B次元官网网址淚t further solidified for me that if you act in an emergent situation, things will come through,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 did not know what I was going to do or how to cover his vet bills. I learned that people really do care and have the ability to give however they can give.B次元官网网址�

MacPherson also wanted to encourage the public to not ignore stray animals.

B次元官网网址淭hese precious souls, they matter,B次元官网网址� MacPherson said. B次元官网网址淚f we have it in our capacity to help in any way, itB次元官网网址檚 very rewarding. IB次元官网网址檇 do it all again, in a heartbeat.B次元官网网址�

adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
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