A senior German Shepherd is getting the love and attention he needs after he was found on the street by a Good Samaritan who spotted him in front of their house. The person called Stray Rescue of St. Louis and told them they suspected the dog had been hit by a car because he was unable to walk.
“He’s just a sack of bones. This poor old skinny man is covered in burrs, smells as though he’s been living in trash, and his back legs aren’t working,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis writes in the description of their YouTube video: “Although we don’t think he was hit by a car, it looks like he might have degenerative myelopathy, which basically means his back limbs and spine are very weak.”
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is very common among pure-bred German Shepherds and there is no cure. But there are treatments that improve the wellbeing of dogs with DM and mobility devices such as doggie wheelchairs help them walk.
But treating the German Shepherd’s DM wasn’t Stray Rescue’s immediate priority when got him back to their shelter. The first thing they needed to do was clean him up and get him hydrated and fed. The poor dog’s fur was covered in burrs; he had so many that his rescuers have named him “Bill Burr”.
“We’re getting him all cleaned up (he’s soooo thirsty and hungry)…He’s the sweetest man, we’re so glad we have him,” Stray Rescue writes.
Bill Burr was feeling a whole lot better a short time later when one of Stray Rescue’s dear friends and “superhero foster mom Katie” came by to give him a groom. Katie is a groomer at Grooming by Pam and she made sure that the gentle German Shepherd “got the full spa treatment.”
“Bill Burr feels like a whole new man,” shares Stray Rescue. “He is so handsome and smells so good – his fur is shining! He may not have ever gotten a bath in his whole life, but he sure seemed to enjoy it. He feels the love pouring in from all of you and it is giving him strength!”
No doubt Bill Burr will feel better and better in the days and weeks to come.
Pupdate: October 2023
Bill Burr has left the building! Back in September, Stray Rescue’s friend Julie Tristan came to meet Bill Burr. “He rolled over on his back and stared up at her with this silly grin and his teef sticking out. He was enamored by her! Well, we are so pleased to tell you she felt exactly the same way. she came back to get him and took him home!”
“This is extra amazing, because a big dog with mobility issues poses quite a challenge. She’ll walk him with a sling, he’ll get to cuddle with her dogs, and he’s going to feel so safe and loved. He’ll be coming in for Vet check-ups so we’ll post lots of updates on this sweet man,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We are so sorry you were abandoned in terrible condition. It kills us to know you were just laying in the street, unable to get up. How scared and hopeless it all must have seemed. We can’t imagine. But now, you’re going to be the center of Julie’s world! And you deserve it, buddy!”
Then, on October 11 it became official. Bill Burr is with Julie to stay. She wrote, “I officially adopted this stud muffin! Welcome to the family “Bill Burr Tristan”!
Stray Rescue added their own warm thanks to Julie by writing: “And just like that, Bill Burr is adopted! Our friend Julie Tristan of “Julie & Friends” on @102.5 KEZK does not shy away from senior or special needs animals. In fact, she adores and prefers them! When Bill Burr came in, he couldn’t walk. We found him laying in the street – hopeless, dirty, terrified, and in pain. He was so grateful for our help. Julie came to meet him and he looked at her differently. He turned into a little puppy, he was in love. She went home to get her house ready and came back for him – you wouldn’t believe how excited he was. She got him set up in some wheels and got him healthy. She made his adoption paperwork official – This boy is adopted!! Congratulations you two, and thank you Julie for all you do to help raise awareness for animals who just need to be given a chance.”
To help other homeless dogs like Bill Burr at Stray Rescue please visit their website.
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