Adopt a Golden Knoxville rescued a one-and-a-half-year-old golden retriever mix from Eastern Kentucky. These before and after pictures show just how far he’s come.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Atlas, the Golden Retriever mix, has a social following. Every Facebook post about him gets hundreds of likes and comments. There are t-shirts saying “Broken but not forgotten, fighting for Atlas,” and people across East Tennessee applying to be his forever home.
Atlas is loved by the Golden Retriever community. However, just two months ago, he was living on the streets of Eastern Kentucky.
“He was found in Kentucky, by somebody who just realized that he was off on his own,” said Danielle Spillman, Atlas’ foster mom.
“We received a call from a Good Samaritan about a dog that had collapsed in her yard. We’d agreed to take the dog but we didn’t quite understand how urgent he needed care,” said Summerville Harris with Adopt a Golden Knoxville.
Upon intake, Atlas was rushed to UT Veterinary Medical Center for his lack of weight, scabies, mites, fleas, open wounds and heartworm.
“When I first saw him, I was just shocked, he didn’t look real. I didn’t know how he was alive,” Harris said. “He’s one of the worst cases of abuse we’ve seen.”
“He is literally just bones,” Harris said.
While most foster homes may cower at the severe medical needs — Danielle Spillman stepped up to the plate. She accepted Atlas into her home, and took on the responsibility of getting Atlas to appointments, and helping him get back into a healthy shape.
“He’s very food motivated. So as soon as he is out of that crate, he is looking to see if there’s anything that he can eat,” Spillman said. “Which is good, he needs to eat.”
She said Atlas is a very loving dog, despite everything he has been through.
“He is always coming up to you, and smooshing his head against you to just be close. He definitely has that Golden Retriever trait of not knowing personal space,” Spillman said. “So, even though he is kind of smelly and gross right now, he just wants to be all up on you all the time. Which, is fine for me, because I am a dog person.”
She said part of the reason for Atlas’ stinkiness is his open wounds. Luckily, those are all stitched up and on their way to healing.
Adopt a Golden Knoxville and Spillman took a chance on Atlas. They said it was worth every penny.
“I think a lot of people would look at a dog like Atlas and think it would be more cost-effective to just euthanize him and move on to dogs that are healthier. But it’s not Atlas’ fault that he’s in this situation,” Harris said. “As long as he keeps trying, we are going to keep him.”
Upon Intake, Atlas was about 20 pounds — skinny for a Golden Retriever. Now, he is starting to fill out and gain weight.
“This has definitely been a more special case than the typical dog that walks through our door,” Spillman said.
“It just speaks volumes about our volunteers, that you can look at a dog that is just so broken, and showed them so much love, and they feel it and they keep wanting to try,” Harris said.
Atlas still has a long way to go for a full recovery. You can follow along with his journey on the AGK website or Facebook Page. He is also up for adoption. Interested parties will undergo an application and interview process to make sure he goes to the best home possible.
If you would like to donate to Adopt a Golden Knoxville, you can do so here.
