Loveable Elmer
Elmer is a senior dog that has a friendly personality but the sight of him can be a little off-putting at first.
The mere sight of Elmer is enough to make most people recoil.
Most of his fur is missing, his skin is flakey and sagging, his nails are gnarled. He doesn’t resemble a friendly, family pet.
But, the people who are caring for the senior pooch say he shouldn’t be judged by his outward appearance as he has a heart of gold.
Melanie Ross first spotted Elmer roaming near the St. Croix carpool the night of July 14 around 9 p.m. He was quite the sight to behold.
“He was standing in the middle of the road and I didn’t quite know what he was at first,” said Ross, noting his eyes were leaking so bad that it looked like he was frothing at the mouth.
“I pulled over and he came right over to my car, but I had my dog with me so I didn’t really want to get them in contact because I didn’t know anything about him,” said Ross.
She called her father, who sent someone to lend a hand.
“Then we took him back to the house and started making phone calls, trying to get a hold of somebody — anybody. It was very difficult,” she said.
“We found a friend who took him for the night — they had a box stall in their horse barn — so it was nice and warm,” said Ross. “He cuddled right in and went to sleep.”
Ross posted on Facebook about
Elmer, and the post went viral.
Ross, and Hants County resident Brittni Milligan, who is a veterinarian in the Valley, connected the next day and Milligan took the dog into her care.
Tests were run and contagious
infections were ruled out.
“After we realized that he didn’t have anything infectious, we brought him home so he could be fostered here and be in a home environment while he gets better,” Milligan said, as Elmer playfully bounded around her Falmouth yard with her other dogs.
All of the test results are not in yet, but they did determine he has a bacterial skin infection, which he’s being treated for.
In the meantime, he’s on a special diet and is being treated for an ear infection and chronic dry eye. He also has a touch of arthritis in his elbow, which requires pain medication.
Judging by his teeth, Milligan estimates the Labrador retriever mix is about 10 years old.
A Go Fund Me campaign was launched shortly after Elmer was found and more than $2,800 was raised. All funds are going towards his care.
Elmer is now under the care of Misfit Manor Dog Rescue Society, a volunteer-run organization that relies on fosters and donations from the public. Any additional funds for Elmer can be sent to the society. Elmer is recuperating at Milligan’s home, and Milligan and Ross say he’s a friendly, gentle giant.
“That’s what really broke my heart when I found him, because he wasn’t aggressive,” said Ross. “He just wanted to be loved and be close to somebody and (was) just looking for some attention. He just loves to be around anybody and anything. He gets along with their dogs and their pig. He’s a well-rounded, good boy.”