We see the best of the best in rescue and we also see the worst of the worst.  We have also learned not to jump to conclusions as we don't always get the "full story" and there can, and often are,  two sides to every story.  We are going to take the moral high road and share what we know of Balboa's story and leave it to you, our community to draw your own conclusion.

Here we go......

We were contacted on social media by someone in Dade County who had found a dachshund with an injured jaw and they reached out to us for help as the quote was $3k for the surgery to repair the injury.

By morning they no longer wanted our help as the dog "woke up much better", had "stopped bleeding from his mouth and was walking around" after receiving pain meds from the vet who had seen him the night before.  They assured us the dog was going to get medical care and so that was the end of it.

Until.....a dachshund with a SEVERELY broken jaw showed up at the shelter a few days later.  

Coincidence?  

Is it possible that there were two dachshunds in Dade County who suffered severe jaw fractures in the last few days?  Possibly.

Is it possible that this family let this helpless boy sit for days with a broken jaw and then dumped him at the shelter when they (understandably) couldn't cover his care even though we offered to take him when he was initially found?  Also a possibility.

Either way, the moment Balboa's photo  went out on medical release, we placed our hold, transport was en route, and LeadER was on alert that we were incoming with him.

X-rays showed an injury that there are very few ways it could have happened - his jaw was broken clean through all the way back by his skull and this sweet boy had not another bruise, bump, scratch, or hair out of place on him.  

Very few ways that could have happened.

Balboa immediately went to surgery with Dr. Daubs, where the break was so far back and so severe that plates would not work and so, Dr. Daubs fitted him with an external stabilizer to keep his jawbone in place until it can heal.  

Balboa who has a very long road ahead of him and we have another very big tab for his surgery.  We are going to let Karma sort out the details of his story and we are back to humbly ask your support of a donation, of even a few dollars, to help cover his care so that we can be there for Balboa, and any other little ones who are out there today and will need us in the days ahead.