Alfonso was just a year old when a pack of coyotes attacked him. The homeless pooch was no match for the wild animals, and he had no choice but to jump inside the frigid Detroit River. He was already severely injured in multiple places, and staying ashore meant certain death.
Several people, both from the American and Canadian sides of the river, witnessed what happened and wanted to help Alfonso. But the stray animal was too scared to let anyone get near him. It took four days before someone was able to fish him out. By that time, the dog was nearly frozen.
Matted fur
Alfonso was taken to an animal hospital in Michigan. The vets were shocked to learn what happened and quickly worked to stabilize his condition. The poor pooch suffered from frostbite on all of his paws and his scrotum. He was also severely dehydrated and had pancreatitis.
The vets had Alfonso on IV fluids and gave him antibiotics. They also placed him inside a hyperbaric chamber to hasten his recovery. The machine will use pressure so he can receive oxygen two to three times faster. Soon, the dog was getting better.
What really saved his life was his thick and matted hair. It helped keep him from freezing to death.
Support from everywhere
As soon as his story got out, donations started pouring in. A local rescue organization handled the matter and kept everyone updated on the dog’s recovery. Several days after the rescue, Alfonso was walking around.
It didn’t take long for Alfonso to find a new home. A family who owned several dogs applied for adoption, and they took the pooch in as soon as the vets cleared him. He now lives with several canine brothers and sisters and is well-loved by his owners. He spends most of his days playing, taking walks, and getting pampered.
Source: Friends of the River Rouge Animal Shelter via Facebook
