POSTED: 10:11 pm CST February 14, 2007
UPDATED: 10:38 pm CST February 14, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A dog trying to survive the subzero wind chills froze to the ground, but because of one woman's generous heart, the dog has another chance at life, KMBC's Lara Moritz reported Wednesday.
He had sat down on the ground where the frozen ground was, and his body had stuck or bonded to the ground, so probably when he tried to stand up, it ripped the flesh from his rear area," volunteer Melissa Zarda said.
The dog was named Shiver, and animal volunteers said it could happen to any dog left outside in the cold without shelter.
"It doesn't feel good for us when we go outside. I was outside for five minutes today and it was painful. It doesn't feel good for these dogs either," Zarda said.
She said Shiver probably wouldn't have lasted another night in the cold because his wounds were just too severe.
"He could barely move. They thought there were parts of his body that were frozen through -- he had frost bite on his ears, on his paws," Zarda said.
Since the dog was recovered on Saturday, Shiver has gained weight and his wounds are beginning to heal.
Volunteers said his willingness to love has endured through the pain.
"All he really did when he walked into the room and met our volunteer was he wagged his tail and tried to crawl in her lap. It's like he didn't hold any grudges -- he was just, like, 'Hey, I'm going to warm up now right here in your lap,'" Zarda said.
No one knows who owned Shiver.
"We're going to fatten him up, get some meat on his bones, get him neutered, get him into foster care and hopefully find him a good home," Zarda said.
Spay and Neuter Kansas City offers a winter assistance program for pets. The program helps pets that are left outside and brings free straw and dog houses to the pet owner. For more info, visit snkc.net.
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