A dachshund was almost put down after its neglectful owners allowed a tumour the size of a melon to become so big the pooch couldn’t even walk.
Little Boo Boo was originally taken to a shelter to be euthanised because of the enormous growth on her belly, which was a third of her own body weight.
But another sanctuary owner spotted the stricken ten-year-old dog and decided to to investigate the tumour and, if it was benign, to operate.
Incredibly, the tumour was benign and, just a week after the successful surgery, Boo Boo was adopted to a new forever home and is happier than ever.
Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, USA, said that as soon as she saw a picture of Boo Boo, she knew she had to help the hound.
She said: “We saw that huge tumour – it was the size of a melon. She is a dachshund with short little legs and this tumour was coming off of her belly and dragging on the ground.
“It was starting to rupture just because it was hitting the ground. She weighed 12lbs and the tumour weighed 3.5lbs, so it was a third of her body weight.
“The family let it get that big and then they decided to have her euthanised. She was brought in for euthanasia even though she is full of life.”
Sherri rescued the hound from the shelter in early October and immediately took the Boo Boo to the vet.
She added: “A volunteer surgeon said she thought she could take off the tumour. Within a matter of two weeks, we had all her bloodwork done and we found out that she was healthy apart from this tumor.
“We decided to remove it and if it was cancerous, we would make her a hospice adoption and if it was not cancerous, we would make her a normal adoption.
“Once we removed it, she was in perfect health and was adopted within one week,” Sherri added.
“She is the happiest, sweetest, most engaged little dog. She is so full of life.”
Boo Boo’s new owner Ashley Shuster, 26, said: “She has a very adorable and loving presence. She is completely in my heart even though it’s been such a short amount of time.”
