On the run for weeks - injured and tick covered

Ashton's story is sadly typical of many rural areas. Dogs are dumped. Many are allowed to roam free dodging bullets aimed at them for fun or by folks protecting livestock. This boy is one of them.

Town folks had seem him pacing and dodging cars for weeks, looking terrified, skinny and dirty. But he was too scared to let anyone near him. He would cower if he saw humans and then try to grab food left for him and run off. As the weather turned colder and rainy the pain in his eyes was evident from afar.

In nothing short of a miracle, an amazing couple literally dedicated an entire day trying to coax him. Border Collie lovers, they couldn't stand to see him suffering any longer. They sat for hours, talking quietly to him and tossing him food. And then suddenly, he allowed the man to slowly pet him at which point he seized the only opportunity he thought he might have to get him and grabbed him. Startled, the dog jumped but never bit. And once the man wrapped his arms around him in a bear hug, the dog collapsed and allowed him to put him in a crate.

They contacted us to ask for help because he was very injured near his belly and hindquarters and they could not afford to pay medical bills. They did not want to see him euthanized.

We responded immediately and met this dog at our vaccine clinic on Halloween weekend. The bond between Ashton and his person was amazing and heartwarming to see. While he didn't trust us to examine him his eyes stayed glued to his new person and he anxiously stayed by his side. 

We now must get Ashton to the vet as his injuries are severe. He is covered with hundreds of ticks and the massive wound on his belly has to be fixed asap before infection sets in. HELP!