TYLER, Texas — Two dogs who experienced several health issues in the past but are now on the mend at the Smith County Animal Shelter are in need of some loving homes.
Sozen and Ruger are looking for their furever homes. According to Smith County Pets Alive, both dogs have experienced malnutrition and were infested with fleas as well as other diagnoses but they are doing better as they continue their long road of recovery.
Sozen, a 3-year-old male German shepherd/ Rottweiler mix, was almost completely bald when he came into the shelter. His hair is growing back. All of his front teeth are gone, which is likely a result of eating junk and scrounging for food.
He is heartworm positive and he had tapeworms and hookworms. The vet determined the following diagnoses: flea infestation, pyroderma-epidermal collarette, ceruminous otitis, erosive/ulcerative dermatitis, malnutrition, anemia of chronic disease, and euthyroid sick syndrome, Smith County Pets Alive said. He has been treated for these conditions.
"He is the sweetest boy and we can not believe how much he is feeling better and looking way better. He loves to play outside and play with tennis balls and would love to find his forever home. We have been so glad to have him in our shelter, but we believe it is time for him to find another home," Smith County Pets Alive said.
Sozen would love a place to run around and be stress free. He does get jealous so it's best that he would be the only four-legged friend in the home.
Ruger, a 3-year-old German shepherd, has had his teeth worn down, which is also likely because of scrounging for food. He is heartworm positive as well. The vet determined he had the following: a flea infestation, pyroderma-epidermal collarette, ceruminous otitis, malnutrition, anemia of chronic disease, and hookworms. He has been treated for these conditions.
This pup also loves attention, and he enjoys running around outside and playing fetch.
"He know many commands which is really great but also loves to be just loved on by anyone," Smith County Pets Alive wrote. "He is a big teddy bear that would love to be in a warm loving home and stress free. We have loved having him here but we believe it is time for him to be at his furever home."
The organization added that both dogs are feeling better but the shelter environment is a stressful place for an animal to heal. They emphasized that Ruger and Sozen need to go to separate homes because they get jealous and they love attention individually.
Most of their medical needs and medicines have been covered.
"We want these guys to have the best chance of recovery from a horrible past. We want to show them that no all humans are bad and that they can be loved," Smith County Pets Alive said.
People can contact the Smith County Animal Shelter at 903-266-4303 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.