I saw Walter’s story on the Today show this morning and it was a heartwarming one. This picture shows when Walter was found this past Easter after he had been “deposited” out of a car and onto a sidewalk. You will notice he has no hair. He had a severe case of mange.
Through the kindness of a wonderful couple, Alexx Darsey and Ro Jusky, Walter has come a long way. You can view a current video of Walter here. He is the one in the red collar.
Below is an excerpt of the Walter’s segment on the Today show.
“Walter’s saga of survival began April 4. Darsey was walking in his Brooklyn neighborhood when he spotted a puppy being abandoned. “A car deposited him on the sidewalk, then sped away,” he told Rappaport. ”
“The puppy’s smell was so bad that Darsey could detect it 50 yards away. A severe case of mange had robbed him of his fur, and his feet were swollen more than twice their normal size. “I didn’t think there was any chance of him making it,” Darsey said.”
“But Darsey was determined not to let him die on the street. He took the pup to the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn. A veterinarian was dubious about the dog’s chances of survival. ”
“Undeterred, Darsey enlisted the help of Juska in starting a cyber campaign to raise money for the pup, who Darsey named Walter because his wrinkled features reminded him of the hangdog look of late actor Walter Matthau.”
Road to recovery “Juska said a wonderful thing happened to Walter just about the time the campaign started: “Once we started a Facebook page, once we started his blog, his spirit turned around overnight.”
And money rolled in — more than Darsey and Juska needed. Now, four months after Darsey first found him, he’s close to a picture of health.
“It’s amazing to think that anything bad ever happened to him, that anybody was ever cruel to him,” Juska told Rappaport. “All he gives is love. He’s not afraid of anybody; he doesn’t shy away from anybody.”
Here is picture of Walter today.
What an amazing transformation! The mange is gone and through the kindness of others, Walter is doing fantastic!
By the way, Walter is a Pit Bull. Because of the kindness this couple showed to Walter, they have made a difference between life and death for this special dog. Let this be an example to all of us that we can make a difference in the lives of helpless animals. All it takes is that first step.
You can catch Walter’s appearance on the Today show here.