A five-year-old deerhound who was found starving and abandoned in a garbage pile has found his “forever home.”
Atticus weighed just 26 pounds – less than half the recommended weight for his breed – when he was rescued from the Lost Dogs’ Home two months ago.
Unable to lift his head and requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation, his story of resilience quickly won hearts, including that of a Gippsland couple who have now adopted the deerhound.
Susan and Paul, who did not want to give their last names, said they had not planned to adopt an animal so soon after the death of their previous dog, Jackson, in May.
However, they said they “knew” when they met Atticus.
“I’m not an emotional person, but he just has that certain something,” Paul said.
“(They) just want to go home and raise him.”
“He has a personality that makes you feel like he’s been a part of your life for quite some time,” Susan said.
The semi-retired couple, who live in the east Gippsland town of Paynesville, met Atticus for the first time last week and spent more than an hour with him.
Caretaker Jamie Nichols of the Lost Dogs’ Home said it was “love at first sight.”
“If I had to choose an adopter, create him from scratch, so to speak, he would have met all the criteria I would have wanted for (Atticus),” Ms. Nichols said.
“They are in early retirement and will therefore be at home with him all the time because he does not like to be left alone.
“And they have a nice big property on a quiet street, so there’s not much that could make his fears worse.”
After weeks of caring for Atticus, Mrs. Nichols described today as “very bittersweet.”
“For Atticus, of course, this will be one of the best days of his life, but for me it is also a very difficult day as I have spent 48 days caring for him and have been with him practically 24/7.
“I’ve been fighting back tears all day, but most of all they’re tears of joy because we’ve found an incredible family for him.”
The Lost Dogs’ Home received over 100 applications to adopt Atticus, as well as thousands more messages of support and encouragement.
Ms. Nichols expressed hope that Atticus’ story will inspire more people to visit their local animal shelter and adopt a dog.
“There are many dogs like Atticus who deserve the same happy ending he gets today,” she said.
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