Moose

He is a Neapolitan Mastiff. And a wonderful dog. Someone dumped him at the City of San Antonio's Animal Care Services. His left front leg had been severely damaged. He was most likely used as a bait dog -- to train other dogs to fight.

He was just a baby. Maybe two or three months old.

ACS's veterinarian called me and asked if we would take him and have out vet see what he could do to save his leg. We agreed to do so.

Julia Porter, the Animal Defense League's Assistant Executive Director, named him Moose. The name fit!

Our vet attached a special brace which is designed to stabilize a severe fracture. But his leg was too badly injured and an infection caused by the bite was spreading from the leg into the rest of his body. The leg had to come off.

What's amazing, within hours after his leg was amputated he was up and about and learning to walk on three legs. Now, more than a month after the surgery, Moose is doing great. Active, playful, fun!

But I can't stop wondering how and why someone would use a dog -- any dog -- as bait. What's wrong with some people. I am not a violent person by nature. But I have a pretty good idea about what I would like to do to folks who abuse animals. And it wouldn't be pretty. Painful yes.

By the way, if you are wondering where Moose is now? I adopted him. Who could resist that gorgeous face.

(c) Ron Aaron. 2009