Rocky Balboa, now known as Bilbo, was less than two months old and in terrible condition when he was abandoned in a stray cage at a shelter in the middle of the night late May 2014. At only six pounds, he was so small he could fit in someone’s hand. We got him to the vet immediately, and no one was sure he would make it through the night. He was severely dehydrated with a possible upper respiratory infection or low-grade pneumonia. It was also initially thought that he was blind but it was hoped it was only due to the severe infection he had (which it was). He really rallied with great treatment and TLC, and after 6 days was allowed to go home with his fosters-with-intent-to-adopt and their daughter, Dawn. We knew Bilbo had a forever home at that point. How could he not with the shape he was in and his overwhelming cuteness? He overcame all his adversities and has now been attending AGR events and having regular updates on our Facebook page, where he is admired and adored by everyone who meets or sees him. He is very proficient at stealing the show. The adopter posted some great photos of Bilbo on AGR’s Facebook page in July 2014 and reported then:

Today he weighed in at 22 lbs. He is growing into being a big boy now. I am glad he is not a human child, or we would not be able to keep him in clothes! Dawn also added, He is all puppy now with all the fun and challenges that come with puppies.

It was really nip-and-tuck with this little fellow at the beginning. We are happy and grateful that our wonderful team of vets saved him and that the adoptive family’s TLC really turned this pup around. We look forward to seeing him at  many AGR events in the future.