Thor, the charming Chihuahua, embodies all the characteristics that one expects from an adorable 8-week-old puppy: inquisitive, with a voracious appetite, and an undeniable affinity for both cuddling and romping around with his newfound companion, his foster sister. However, his recent past depicts an entirely contrasting tale.
Last Tuesday night in Dickinson, Texas, animal control officers received a complaint about a trash bag left on the side of the road. Upon opening the bag, they discovered a small three-pound dog named Thor. Unfortunately, Thor was infested with fleas and covered in blood. His right eye was unnaturally positioned, and he trembled from the cold. Despite wearing a collar and appearing to have had an owner at some point, it was evident that he had been abandoned there.
The officers quickly rushed Thor to the Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital, where he was promptly stabilized. However, due to the severe inflammation in his right eye, veterinarians made the difficult decision to remove it. It remains unknown how Thor sustained his eye injury, but puncture scars on his tiny body suggest that he may have been attacked by another dog.
“We weren’t sure if he would make it through the surgery to remove his eye,” shared Kristin Smith, a veterinary technician at the clinic, with The Dodo. “Fortunately, he pulled through and everything went better than expected.”
At just 8 weeks old, Thor was rescued just in the nick of time. According to Smith, she believes that at his young age, he wouldn’t have survived another night alone inside the sack.
During her recovery, Smith had the opportunity to spend time with Thor, and he quickly won her heart. Smith made the decision to bring him home with her, providing him with a safe environment to heal and also assisting the local shelter, Bayou Animal Services, who offered to cover his care expenses.
“With so many pets being surrendered this holiday season, the shelter is already overwhelmed, so I knew it would be better for him to recover in a home,” she added.
She quickly realized how desperate the little dog was for affection. Thor is always eagerly waiting for his foster mom, ready to cuddle up with her as soon as she sits down. Thor finds comfort in cuddle time and naps, surrounded by soft blankets that keep him warm.
“He’s incredibly loving and cuddling is his favorite thing,” she mentioned. “He’s such a sweet and tiny baby, and everyone who meets him falls in love with him.”
Despite his difficult start in life, Thor is healing well from his surgery and receiving treatment for various parasites. Being so young, he is quickly adapting to life with only one eye, and it doesn’t seem to bother him, according to Smith. The stitches on his eyelid will be removed in the coming weeks, and he will continue to receive puppy vaccines as he grows.
Smith is looking forward to finding a permanent home in the near future, possibly after the New Year. However, for now, he is staying close to his foster mother and enjoying the comfort of his cozy blankets. “Thor is having a peaceful sleep tonight, completely carefree,” he commented. “He truly is an ideal and adorable puppy.”
