Rev. David John Walkowiak, seated, takes part in his ordination and installation as the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mich., on Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Walkowiak, an Ohio native, was most recently a priest at a parishFORT WAYNE – The tiny black dog with giant brown eyes and crazy hair bounds across the room, a flurry of wagging tail, busy nose and a heart three times the size of his body.
What a difference a few months makes.
On Jan. 5, the terrier mix, now called Sawyer, was found by a passer-by in the 700 block of 3rd Street suffering from two broken front legs.
The “good Samaritan” who found the tiny dog with black hair and gray Einstein eyebrows took him to the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital in Fort Wayne, where veterinarians found that the dog’s injuries were not like those that would have been caused by getting hit by a car. Officials at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control opened a cruelty investigation.
In the meantime, there was a scruffy little dog to help and the shelter’s Angel Fund was nearly depleted after paying for the puppy’s surgery.
“So many people donated for his care,” said Peggy Bender, community relations and education specialist at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. “Without it, he wouldn’t be where he is today. You can’t use tax dollars for this type of situation.”
Officials said about $4,500 was raised in a week.
Friday, officials announced that Sawyer was ready for adoption, and he showed off the healing power of love. He’s spent about 10 weeks in a private foster home.
Shelter officials said that despite his ordeal, Sawyer has been nothing but boundless energy and love. Officials estimate he’s about 18 months old.
“Even with both legs in full casts, he would try to hug you,” said AmyJo Sites, Animal Care & Control deputy director. “The injury didn’t slow him down one minute.”
Bender said she worried at first because Sawyer would bounce up and down on his casts until veterinarians assured her the bones had been repaired with plates and pins and the bouncing didn’t hurt him.
The woman who fostered Sawyer since his surgery – officials asked that her name not be used so she can continue fostering high-profile cases when needed – said it will be very difficult to let him go to his “forever home.”
“He is awesome. He’s an amazing dog,” she said. “He never knew he had broken legs.”
Bender said that while high-profile cases such as Sawyer’s get a lot of attention, it also helps remind people there are many, many other animals that need homes and that when they see cruelty or neglect, they need to report it at 427-1244.
“If you see something, pick up the phone,” Bender said. “We do keep it confidential. Just let us know so we can check it out.”
The cruelty case involving Sawyer remains under investigation.
