Meet Our New Foster: Jack Frost

 If you've been following our Facebook page, you've probably seen some glimpses of our tiny little foster pup. With some extra obligations this year, we weren't sure if we could take on another foster pup this soon, but we were so taken with little Jack Frost's story, we knew we could at least take him while we were on break.

When Miss M's rescue group, New Leash on Life Chicago, stopped by Chicago's Animal Care and Control to rescue one more pup for the holidays, they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Jack Frost. His cage card showed he had been given up by his "owners" a mere day before, looking like this:

  His neglect was so severe, that his fur had matted fusing his ears to the back of his head and his legs to his sides. With this type of matting, every movement, or attempt to walk, is severely painful literally tearing at his flesh. On top of that, his toenails were curled under themselves, and he was missing several teeth causing his little tongue to hang out the side of his mouth. His entire underside was molding and soaked in urine, and he had feces stuck throughout his fur. 

This type of condition doesn't just happen in a matter of weeks, or even months, but it seemed like he had been living like this for his entire life. Long-term volunteers (who have seen a lot!) literally started crying when they saw him. 
Though New Leash wasn't expecting to take an extra pup, and they didn't have a foster home lined up, they knew there was no way this little guy, who had never led a regular life, could be left behind.

Jack Frost received a medical groom removing approximately 4 pounds of fur; this was nearly half of his body weight! 
They said the removal was almost like an archeological dig discovering unbelievable things stuck throughout his fur and leaving his skin very sensitive and cold. He is taking antibiotics for his teeth, and they will be running further tests to see if his condition has impacted him internally.

 Despite all he's been through, Jack Frost is just loving life! Each morning he wakes with a roll almost as if to remind himself what it means to have sensation on his body. Now that he has been freed from his mattes he absolutely loves going on walks and works to keep up with our pups' longer strides. He absolutely loves being around people and he was quite the showstopper coming to E's family's holiday celebration complete in Santa suit. He is just a laid-back little guy who loves hanging out with his people...and Miss M.

Please, please share his story. We're hoping to find him a home before we go back from break.
You can see more photos of his rescue (and his sister Chestnut) here. 
Tax-deductable donations to help with his recovery can be made here (plus an incredible donor is matching donations made today!)
And you can  complete an adoption application here. 

Also:
Check our Facebook page to see even more photos of Jack Frost hanging with our pups.
Isn't it funny to think this was our foster last year? (Size HUGE!)
Our second smallest foster.