Birthday: January 1st 2008 Arrival Story: Roman, a small, 2 year old Boston Terrier mix was rescued from the Delano Shelter in December 2008 .... We knew he was under-weight (he looked emaciated in the hindquarters) but what we learned was a story of an incredible will to live. He is an amazing little soul with a huge heart that gives us all daily courage. We took him to the Vet as soon as we rescued him to have his current health assessed and get his up neuter scheduled.... and decided to do a quick x-ray on his back, which we thought was a birth defect.
Our Veterinarian, Dr. Heywood, surmised from the x-ray really quickly that both Roman's hips and back had recently been broken. She said this was most like being from run over (not hit) by a car OR stepped on along his back about 2+ months ago, causing the severity of his injury. She is amazed with that scale of injury that he is not dead. The fact he can walk, and has no bowel or bladder damage, as dogs with these type of injuries usually end up incontinent, is a miracle. Roman was placed on muscle relaxers, pain medication and a complete 3 week cage rest regime. He has been gaining weight nicely and has started his physical therapy and has healed very nicely.
Roman will make an excellent little dog for a person who wants to provide him a home where he will be pampered and adored and respected for the iron-will he has exhibited to surmount the odds that were stacked against him. Being only 6.5 lbs, he is very portable ... He is crate trained, can walk well, and just needs to be monitored so he does not jump down from anything, such as a bed, chair sofa etc. Small, gentle walks are fine but he will never have the stamina to do long walks.He loves playing with a ball. I've Been On Dogster Since: