According to Dogfull, Spencer the Doberman was once a stray and had experienced a broken spine. However, he has undergone surgery and physiotherapy and is now fully healed and ready for adoption. While many people enjoy watching adorable dog videos, the first images that Jackie O’Sullivan saw of Spencer were not heartwarming but rather concerning.
The co-founder of Rescue Dogs Rock NYC (RDRNYC) recalls a heartbreaking moment when Spencer, a one-year-old brown Doberman, was brought to an animal shelter in South Carolina on January 4. According to the footage, the dog appeared to be split in two, hunched over and visibly upset. The shelter staff knew that Spencer needed help beyond what they could offer, and so they contacted Jackie, the co-founder of RDRNYC, who was hundreds of miles away on the East Coast. Requesting for help, they sent her two videos of the emaciated dog, who was most likely used for racing. Despite his condition, Jackie agreed to take care of him. It was later revealed that Spencer had been surviving by eating mangled animals on the highway until he was hit by a car and brought to the shelter. The staff realized that this was not the first time Spencer had faced hardships in his life.
Spencer’s physical appearance told a tragic story that his rescuer, Spencer, couldn’t articulate. It appeared that he had endured a lifetime of mishandling before being potentially run over on the highway. Fortunately, he was taken to a local veterinarian clinic, Paws and Claws in Columbia, South Carolina, where it was discovered that his back was broken. However, there was still hope as they sent his x-rays to a neurologist who agreed to see him immediately. The VCA Animal Specialty Center in South Carolina gave Jackie and Spencer some good news – the young dog felt his legs and was still a good candidate for spinal surgery. But, they also had bad news as Spencer’s stomach was full of bird bones that could puncture his intestines and he had open wounds on his head and legs that required stitches.
Upon realizing that Spencer’s spine needed to be stabilized, Jackie knew that she had to act fast to ensure her dog’s well-being. Despite the surgery costing thousands of dollars, she was determined to give Spencer a chance at a better life. Thankfully, Spencer’s strong will to live shone through even in his weakened state, as he gave kisses and ate. As Spencer underwent surgery in South Carolina, his photos were posted on RDRNYC’s Facebook page, eliciting heartfelt responses from dog lovers who were touched by his ordeal. Donations poured in, and Spencer soon had his very own Facebook page by the time he was ready for physical therapy.
Jackie shares that they received an overwhelming number of inquiries about Spencer, to the point that their website even crashed. Following his surgery, Spencer was determined to regain his independence and actively participated in physical therapy sessions. His doctors were pleased to see that his bones had healed without any complications and that he did not require abdominal surgery. To better monitor his progress, Spencer was transferred to West Hills Animal Hospital and Emergency Center on Long Island, where he continued with his daily physical therapy sessions. Jackie notes that Spencer has a love for toys, and she bought him plenty to play with, bringing out his playful puppy side.
In recent times, Spencer has made remarkable progress in terms of his mobility, having transitioned from using a sling for walking to being able to walk independently. According to Jackie, he is becoming progressively stronger with each passing day, though he still requires considerable physical therapy. Nonetheless, the time has come for Spencer to move on to the next phase of his life, and the RDRNYC is finally welcoming adoption applications. Jackie is thrilled at the prospect of seeing Spencer find a new loving home, as he is generally a cheerful and healthy dog who deserves to live a fantastic life.
