An ailing canine, who unfortunately had his nose taken away in a vicious dog attack, is desperately searching for a loving family to call his own. Thanks to a recent news coverage highlighting his plight, Sniffles has now captured the hearts of many potential pet parents.
Sniffles has endured a challenging life so far, having been abandoned in Puerto Rico where he fell victim to attacks from other stray dogs, leading to a multitude of health issues.
However, ever since he arrived in the United States to receive medical treatment and his story was shared by an animal rescue organization based in Florida, Sniffles’ condition has improved significantly. With luck, he may soon find a forever home.
It is said that Sniffles endured extremely poor living conditions in Puerto Rico. He suffered from numerous parasites such as hookworms and whipworms, and his teeth are in urgent need of repair.
Adding to his hardships, Sniffles has tragically lost his nose due to an attack by other stray dogs. This left him with various wounds and health issues.
Fortunately, a local animal rescue group found Sniffles in Puerto Rico and arranged for his adoption by a family in the US. It was hoped that in his new home, he would receive improved medical care.
However, his temporary home didn’t provide a lasting solution. Sniffles had a habit of running away, and since his health was fragile and needed constant care, this exposed him to more danger.
Fortunately, he found refuge at Poodle and Pooch Rescue in Florida. This non-profit group is dedicated to rescuing a significant number of dogs, averaging between 500 and 600 annually.
On December 19, Sniffles became part of the rescue’s family, and the team wasted no time in searching for a permanent home for him. They even highlighted his story on WESH, a local news station in Orlando, on December 24.
Since then, Sniffles’ luck has taken a turn for the better. Over a hundred individuals have reached out to the shelter, expressing their interest in adopting him, and his heartwarming tale continues to gain traction.
According to Rebecca Lynch, a spokesperson for the shelter, “Sniffles requires an adopter who is committed to cleaning his nasal passage twice daily and providing him with eye drops to manage his dry eye condition.” She further explained, “During his time with us, we discovered that he had been exposed to unsanitary living conditions, as indicated by the presence of hookworms and whipworms. Additionally, he tested positive for Ehrlichia, a tick-borne illness. However, we are currently treating him, and we are optimistic that he will make a full recovery.”
However, Sniffles remains strong and maintains his love for people, despite his challenges and difficulties. According to Lynch, Sniffles is a resilient young boy who has managed to overcome his troubled past. Although he initially displayed shyness and confusion, Sniffles has gradually become more confident. He enjoys cuddling, wagging his tail, and spending time outdoors. Additionally, Sniffles interacts harmoniously with other dogs and his unique condition adds to his charm as he emits adorable snorting noises.
Sniffles, the adorable and cheerful dog, has captured the hearts of many after his heartwarming story was broadcasted locally in Central Florida. However, Sniffles is not the only special needs dog we have taken in at our rescue. In fact, we welcome several dogs like Sniffles every week.
While we continue to explore various options for Sniffles, we encourage those who are unable to adopt him to consider providing a loving home to another special needs pet or to contribute through giving or fostering animals.
In the meantime, Sniffles has found a temporary home with Genesis Diaz, a kind-hearted local woman. Diaz shared her delightful experience waking up to find Sniffles at the side of her bed, gazing at her before playfully spinning around and showering her with affectionate licks.
The staff at our animal rescue center has also fallen head over heels for Sniffles. Michelle Wacker, the medical director at Poodle and Pooch Rescue, described him as a delightful old soul. Despite his unique appearance, Sniffles is a healthy dog who simply looks a bit different from others.
