How Koda was injured is not entirely clear, but one thing was certain: The 10-month-old Papillion puppy had suffered horrible burns on his tiny back legs. The burns, likely caused by hot grease, had not been treated properly. When the APL’s Humane Investigations team saw him, they immediately brought Koda to the APL, where he received the medical care and attention he needed.
The APL veterinary staff treated Koda’s wounds, and then placed him in foster care with an experienced APL foster “mom,” Kim. Kim is one of the APL’s unseen, often unsung heroes: a foster parent who takes in cats, dogs or other animals, to provide them with extra care, time and attention, and respite from the hectic shelter environment, all to prepare them for a new home.
Kim was impressed with the little dog’s spirit, noting that he “never cried or fussed,” even when his bandages were changed. Soon, it was time for him to find his new home!
Ana Christina had a Papillion – Tucky – who enjoyed a wonderful life with her until he was 15. After Tucky passed away, and Ana had some time to grieve, she decided to look for another Papillion. Fortunately, her commitment to rescue animals is strong, and she began to scour the websites of animal rescue organizations looking for this breed. At 6 a.m. one morning she saw the APL listing: Papillion mix! Ana was at the APL 20 minutes before it opened. Her heart dropped when she saw two other people ahead of her – she was certain they were waiting for “her” dog! (It turned out one was interested in a different puppy, and the other was adopting a cat!)
She soon found out that Koda wasn’t at the APL, but, rather, still with Kim. Kim brought Koda to the APL and it was, as Ana describes, “love at first sight,” right down to his tiny hairless back legs. “I love chickens, too,” Ana explains, laughing, “and his back legs are like a little chicken’s – he’s perfect!” Kim told Ana all about Koda, and then tenderly handed over her little charge to his new mom.
Ana renamed Koda “Henri,” after Henry the Fifth, and he quickly fit into the family’s animal menagerie, which includes another rescued dog, 10-year-old Sancho, a beautiful Chihuahua mix, three cats (including two APL alumni), and a parakeet! Henri, according to Ana, is a “spitfire,” wide awake and ready to play when the family rises at 4 a.m. Ana’s husband and daughter Alexandra round out this house full of life and love.
The efforts of the APL Humane Investigations team, veterinary and shelter staff, foster mom Kim, and Ana and her family turned Koda’s sad story into Henri’s tale of life in a loving home. Thank you all, especially Ana and her family, for giving Henri his happily-ever-after!
Carmen
Cleveland Animal Protective League
Information about the Cleveland APL
To meet the adoptable animals at the
Cleveland APL, visit our adoption center in Tremont at 1729 Willey Avenue in Cleveland or our PetSmart Charities® Everyday Adoption Center in the Parma PetSmart® store at 6870 Ridge Road. To view all of the animals who are waiting for loving homes online or on your mobile device, visit
www.ClevelandAPL.org or download our free adoptions app on your iOS or Android device.
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“Cleveland Animal Protective League”. Here is the link to it for your reference:
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