Parker (FKA Jackson)

Parker (FKA Jackson) was locked in an abandoned car and struggled to survive as a rare condition ate away at his face. His abandonment was intentional and cruel, and we have no doubt that this was malicious. A young puppy locked in an abandoned car - left to starve to death, freeze to death, or die from the painful mystery that seemed to engulf his nose… 

2023 blessed us with one last miracle as several reports came in about a puppy locked in an abandoned car. Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society and Gallup-McKinley County Animal Protection rushed to the scene, where they were able to rescue the desperate boy who was clearly in need of critical emergency care. 

When we subsequently took Parker into our care, his face and nose were so mutilated we were fearful they were the result of chemical burns. However, we would soon learn that his injuries were actually caused by something called "puppy strangles." This rare condition, or juvenile cellulitis, is usually an acute (sudden) swelling of the face and muzzle. The development of raised bumps and pustules over the face, muzzle, and ears follows this generalized swelling. 

Parker’s condition required steroids and antibiotics to resolve, and he needed LOTS of TLC to heal. But heal he did, eventually…

After this poor boy's trauma, we were super happy to see him off to a loving and capable foster home mid-winter. He made the journey and, in less than 24 hours, settled in nicely in his foster family’s small pack.

He met his temporary family’s four big dogs and happily enjoyed the yard with his new friends. He worked on house-training and mastered coming up and down the stairs. He even got acquainted with the doggie door! 

After a month, Parker’s smart and sassy personality started to peek through. After all that he had been through, it made us so happy to receive word that he was healing both physically and emotionally, though he still had some scars on his face. 

This quirky little guy even developed a bedtime routine at his Foster home, where he insisted that his pawrents hold him or allow him to lay on their laps and fall asleep. We knew that he was nearing the next step (his forever home) when we heard of this cute little bedtime tradition. 

But then, suddenly, he wasn't quite right. Parker’s foster took him to the vet on account of a worrying limp. Although Parker didn't seem phased, she knew something was amiss.The vet instantly saw that something was off in his gait. She took X-rays of both front legs and found that he had a fractured shoulder bone in his right leg. This was an old injury that happened long before we got ahold of him and then was further masked by the steroids used to combat his puppy shingles. Still, he appeared incredibly happy and spunky and loved all people and dogs. The vet sent Parker and his foster parent home with long-term low-key treatment and meds.

Well, that forever family came soon enough. After only a couple more months in foster care, cozying up to his foster siblings and mama, visiting the vet for check-ups, and learning his manners, Parker was ADOPTED on April 8th, 2024.

His forever pawrents have another bully mix and own and operate their own doggy daycare, so Parker gets to go to daycare and play every day! He’s in puppy heaven! We want to thank everyone who donated to Parker's journey and recovery. We couldn't have done it without you, and now, he gets to live the happy ever after he deserves! 

RezDawg helps countless animals like Parker every year, and your donations ensures emergency care, transforming lives, and offering a second chance to resilient dogs and cats. We are also very thankful for Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society, Gallup-McKinley County Animal Protection, our amazing donors and CUDDLY for making sure this pup was safe and well cared for. Thanks to YOU, Parker gets to relax in absolute bliss FOREVER. Cheers, Parker!