Happy ending for 3-legged dog

Weaver, the three-legged dog, has found a home and an owner who adores him.

Weaver arrived at the Corning Animal Shelter, with one hind leg broken and dangling from the hip, during a severe storm in January 2008. Not much is known about the dog’s background before that.

“He was probably hit by a car,” said Debbie Eaglebarger, shelter caretaker and president of Second Chance Pet Rescue. “Even though he was sure to have been in intense pain, his tail wagged and he allowed us to carry him into the shelter.”

The veterinary clinic was closed, so X-rays were taken the next morning. The prognosis wasn’t good.

“The damage was extensive,” Eaglebarger said. “Weaver required a specialized surgeon who would put in plates and pins to repair the four breaks in his leg. The cost was prohibitive at $3,000.”

At the time, Weaver was about 9 months old. The city opted to have the dog euthanized after a holding period.

“He was such a great dog, and we didn’t want to put him down, but we couldn’t afford the surgery. So the surgeon suggested that we consider amputating the leg instead of repairing it,” said Eaglebarger.

The cost of the amputation was $500.

“Could we justify this cost and time to save one dog?” asked Eaglebarger. “We decided that we could if we got help from the community to help this storm victim. The community came through with great generosity.”

Weaver’s surgery went well, but finding a home for a three-legged dog wasn’t quite as easy.

“It’s tough finding homes for four-legged purebred dogs,” Eaglebarger said. “How were we going to find a home for three-legged Weaver?”

Home at last

After several months, Eaglebarger transferred Weaver to a sister animal shelter in Redding, where he was immediately adopted.

“Unfortunately three months later he was brought back,” Eaglebarger said. “Living with three very small children, he was just a bit overwhelmed.”

Weaver came back to the Corning Animal Shelter and settled back into the daily routine.

When the Butte Humane Society in Chio called Eaglebarger in October and said they would like to have Weaver and help him find a home she was delighted.

Weaver was featured on a billboard and TV. But no one seemed to want to adopt him.

Then came along Gretchen and Alvin Muller, of Oroville, who went to Butte Humane Society after their dog died.

“Weaver looked longingly at us,” Gretchen Muller said. “We took a closer look at him but then said our goodbyes to him.”

An hour later they were back.

“This is the dog we’ve been searching for,” she said. “We never think about him having only three legs. He’s not handicapped one bit. In fact, he chases rabbits as if he has five legs. In fact, you couldn’t offer my husband a million dollars for him.”

Weaver is the Mullers’ only pet, and both say he is the most amazing dog they have ever seen.

“He loves us both unconditionally, and we feel the same about him,” Muller said. “In fact, he is getting rather protective of us and our home.”

The Mullers paid a visit to Second Chance Pet Rescue recently, where Weaver had a wonderful reunion with Eaglebarger and her staff.

“He’s home at last,” said Eaglebarger. “Where all dogs should be.”

Contact Julie R. Johnson at 824-5464 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com