Ultimate update on the little Shawney dog***Another update***

[Reptscue]

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....30332/1003/ACC
City gets custody of dog
Injured pet may be adopted after recovering sufficiently
By Karen Feldman
Originally posted on August 13, 2006
Shawney the Chihuahua mix starts a new phase of her life now that she's become a ward of the city of Cape Coral.
Judge Maria Gonzalez ordered Friday that the 71/2-pound dog's owner, Jeffrey Candler, could not have the family pet back after he allegedly dragged her behind his car.
The little cream-colored dog with bright brown eyes and a perpetually wagging tail will remain at Viscaya-Prado Veterinary Hospital in Cape Coral, where the staff has been treating her for injuries she suffered as the result of the May 17 incident.
Given that the city has never taken custody of an animal before, the next steps are yet to be worked out, but Assistant City Attorney Ron Dente said that once the 12-year-old dog has recovered sufficiently, she will be turned over to Lee County Animal Services.
So far, there's only been one person who has notified the county animal services division of interest in adopting the dog.
"We've had some people make inquiries," said Ria Brown, the department's public promotions specialist.
"We haven't discussed a specific (adoption) procedure yet," she said, "but it goes without saying that we're going to do everything we can to place her in the proper home to take care of her special needs, where she'll be loved appropriately for the rest of her life."
What Brown could say is that Shawney's adoption won't be on a first-come, first-served basis because of her injuries, which will likely require special care.
"We are going to make sure it's going to a home that understands this specific animal's needs and, of course, has a good history of caring for the pets they've already owned."
Meanwhile, Shawney still has some healing to do.
Her cuts and bruises have healed but her right front leg has yet to heal.
She underwent a second surgery on the leg three weeks ago. Veterinary surgeon Callum Hay of Veterinary Surgical Services in Tampa took a bone out of her back and grafted it into her leg to help shore up the broken wrist.
"She'd lost a lot of bone in her wrist so there were multiple breaks, bone loss and ligament instability," Hay said.
During the second surgery, Hay also put in a plate with screws across the joint so the wrist would be more stable.
"It was a pretty difficult repair," Hay said. "We didn't have a lot to work with, but I feel really good about how it looked after the surgery. I think she'll come along."
He expects it to be another five to nine weeks before they know whether the latest surgery was a success.
Meanwhile, Shawney has become the beloved office mascot at Viscaya-Prado, where she spends much of the day curled up on a plush towel near the reception desk, getting up to bark when she deems it necessary or to wag her tail at someone who might be persuaded to pet her.
The little dog's story spread from coast to coast, prompting animal lovers to start a petition to convince the judge to award custody of the dog to the city.
According to Viscaya-Prado administrative assistant Lynn Assenzio, there are about 10,000 names on it.
Assenzio said that after the ruling came out granting the city custody, she had to call people from Florida to California to spread the news.
Yet to be settled is an animal cruelty charge filed against Candler. Judge Leigh Hayes will hold a docket sounding on Friday, Aug. 18, to determine if both sides are ready for trial.
Candler's attorney, Robert Branning, said his client is still talking with the state attorney's staff about resolving the matter.

[BWSmith]

nice

[Heidi]

Good to hear. Kind of surprised that only one serious adoption request though. Usually people come out of the woodworks begging for a special pet like that.

[Sleepy_FF]

awesome.

[louise]

happy ending

[Reptscue]

In the beginning there were a lot of people calling us. I think the one who called in is the person who is fostering here at the clinic. At least I hope so. I'll find out the details soon...