Phoenix isn’t your average dog in terms of appearance. Sadly, he gets lots of judgment for the way he looks, as it often scares people. However, he’s just like every other dog and just wants to love and be loved by someone who understands that beauty is more than just appearance.
This incredibly sweet dog was abandoned as a stray for about a year. He was scavenging for his food, and unfortunately, there were many people who turned a blind eye to his suffering once they got a closer look at him. No one was willing to give him a chance. He was often referred to as being “freakish” or “horrifying.” But thankfully there are people out there who were able to look past his appearance to his inner beauty – the only beauty that actually matters.
Skiatook Paws & Claws Animal Rescue in Oklahoma fell in love with Phoenix as soon as they met him. The rescue was made aware of Phoenix’s plight when someone called the rescue to help him. They didn’t hesitate and were undeterred by his looks. All they cared about was saving the dog.
When Phoenix was taken in, the rescue could tell that he had once belonged to someone. However, that sadly meant that whoever previously owned him had failed to properly care for him and let him wind up homeless on the streets.
He was skin and bones. You could see all his ribs,” said Carisa Ducharne from Skiatook Paws & Claws. “[He was] just so inflamed that he couldn’t close his eyes. He had so much swelling and inflammation in his face.”
The rescue was unaware as to how Phoenix came to look the way he does. When they found him he was happy and not scared of humans at all – making it clear that whatever his past might have been his sweet nature wasn’t affected by his past pains at all.
Skiatook Paws & Claws regularly post updates on Phoenix’s journey, and along the way, he has gained plenty of love and followers who were willing to donate towards his medical care.
Family Animal Medicine who has worked hard to help Phoenix, figure that the poor dog most likely suffers from an autoimmune disease – but they’re not sure exactly which one it would be yet. But the good news is that he is doing so much better than when he first was rescued.
“He’s done nothing but improve every single day,” stated Ducharne. “I wouldn’t say this is intentional trauma, but neglect is also abuse, and he was without a doubt neglected.”
There have been plenty of people reaching out to the shelter regarding Phoenix – as well as plenty of people who were offering to adopt him.
While the rescue is thrilled to see how many people were more than happy to open their homes to this dog, the shelter has already expressed that if Phoenix is ever up for adoption, it will be once he’s completely healthy and ready for a forever home.
If you are interested in donating to Phoenix or other dogs in need, you can go to Skiatook Paws & Claws Animal Rescue and make a donation through their website.
