For every pet with a happy home, there is an animal in a shelter waiting to be adopted. So today, meet Merlin, a big, loveable 6-year-old pup who's been given a second chance at life thanks to AZ RESCUE of Phoenix, Ariz.
After coming to the pound in December, Merlin was saved by AZ RESCUE and brought into foster care in May. At first staffers thought the underweight dog might have had an issue with his teeth, but his appetite was suffering for another reason: lymphoma. After a veterinary exam, he was given just six weeks to live. But after Merlin was put on a course of chemotherapy, he was miraculously – or, magically – given a better prognosis: at least a year to live! "We are confident that a loving home is out there for Merlin, cancer and all," says AZ RESCUE president Jennifer Berry. The staffs' hope for Merlin is "the gift of having a loving, caring home of his own!"
AZ RESCUE strives to save the dogs and cats that are on the "kill list" at other shelters. Staffers get to know each dog and cat they save, learning their needs before finding them a permanent home. To date, they've placed more than 9,300 dogs and cats. A volunteer-driven, grassroots, non-profit organization, AZ RESCUE is solely supported by donations from the community. To learn more, visit their Web site.
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