Debo was a very sick dog. The 7-year-old pit bull was severely emaciated and had a severe ear and eye infection along with a case of hookworms and heartworm disease.
But it was nothing that couldn’t be cured. Even in his ill condition, Debo was still a very happiest dog.
Dr. Setzer of the Lesslie Animal Hospital in Rock Hill, SC noticed right away that he was the kind of dog that had that “it factor” that “comes in and the whole room lights up, everyone is excited to see him.”
“He came into the clinic, as soon as he walked in he leaned up against me and you know he was really sweet and stared loving right away,” Setzer told NBC Charlotte. “Even though he had an ear infection, had skin problems, he hadn’t been neutered yet, his ears were in really bad shape. He had abscesses on both sides of his face.”
Debo’s owners couldn’t afford the cost to treat him and asked the vet to put their dog down. However, Setzer wasn’t about to let Debo go.
So, he convinced Debo’s owners to sign the dog over to the hospital.
“They paid us a small portion to kind of help with his medical bills and then we called Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue group to come in and help us out,” Setzer explained.
Debo was taken in as a foster dog and given the medical attention he needed. However, he still needs both ear canals removed since his infection went untreated for so long.
“Each time I see him he goes up a level… he talks more, the tail seems to be wagging a lot harder,” Setzer said. “When he first came in he was happy, he wanted to see you but he was just a little off. Once he gets [his ears] done, he’s probably going to knock me down. He just keeps going up a level every time I see him.”
The rescue organization raised more than $1,200 for his treatments.
However, they still need $2,700 more for Debo’s surgeries, heartworm treatment, and neutering procedures. Setzer has big hopes for Debo’s future.
“My ultimate goal is to get him to a healthy state and get him into a home with hopefully at least two or three children, wife and a husband that they really love him and treat him as part of the family,” Setzer said. “That’s what he needs. He’s craving that and I think once he gets that he’s going to be just fine.”
Learn more about Debo’s story in the video below and learn about the rescue organization here.
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