A dog's desperate journey: running down the roadside hurt and abandoned

Claude’s canine companion had endured extensive and prolonged mistreatment. The poor pup was discovered wandering the streets of Chicago’s Side, battered and solitary. Fortunately, a compassionate Lyft driver stumbled upon him and offered assistance. The dog was in terrible shape, with visible limp, multiple bite marks, and shaved fur on his back. The driver approached the pooch cautiously, extending a gentle touch.

In a calm manner, she lifted him up and carried him to her car. She cancelled her plans for the evening and took him home to tend to his wounds and put on bandages. However, when she tried to contact rescues and vet clinics the following day, it was during a holiday weekend, and she couldn’t reach anyone until Tuesday.

Although she offered to take care of Claude while he recuperated, finding a shelter that could provide him with the necessary medical attention proved to be a challenge. Sadly, most of the shelters were unwilling or unable to assist unless they put him down humanely. This drove her to tears, but fortunately, one shelter was able to supply her with antibiotics for Claude’s treatment. Nonetheless, it wasn’t sufficient, and soon his head and face started to swell, and he lost his appetite.

Finally, a companion connected her with Wright-Way Rescue, and we brought him in quickly. He had numerous bite marks and was dealing with serious infection and dehydration. The medical team performed surgery on him and provided more than fifty stitches, even inside his mouth where his gums were punctured. Although he is making slow progress, he is still in an unstable state.

Our veterinary team is closely monitoring Claude’s progress, administering frequent treatments and providing him with syringe-fed meals due to his lack of appetite. We are committed to doing everything possible to give him a fresh start in life. I’m happy to report that Claude is thriving! To our relief, he’s healthy, content and enthusiastic about life. We’re grateful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received. Nowadays, Claude is a strong, energetic boy who simply adores playing all the time.