'Good Boy' recovering after he was shot in Ames
A dog found with a gunshot wound to his head is healing from surgery at his foster's home after he was released one week after he was first rescued.
Since Tuesday afternoon, Joanna Muggli has dedicated herself to learning all about her most recent foster, a 10-year-old Labrador named 'Good Boy.'
The dog was discovered Jan. 14 near SE 16th Street in Ames after he was shot. Ames Animal Shelter says the bullet appears to have entered near his left ear and exited through his eye socket, leaving behind bullet fragments in his skull.
He was treated at Iowa State's Animal Hospital, where they successfully removed most of the bullet shards and stitched his wounds back together. The shelter says Good Boy's procedure total will be between $7,000 and $10,000.
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At Muggli's house, Good Boy is demonstrating all of his skills, including sit, stay, shake and more, for treats. Muggli says she is getting to know the dog by seeing how he responds to different commands, people, situations and even names. So far, she's discovered he answers to Dude and Buddy as well as 'Good Boy.'
"Somebody has spent hours and hours with this dog and taught him a lot," Muggli said.
As she tests his knowledge, Good Boy is also learning his own limits. He's very spry but sometimes seems to occasionally lose balance and has difficulty gauging depth. Hearing from the ear he was struck also seems to be difficult. Muggli believes Good Boy's injuries are causing the difficulties.
Muggli and Ames Animal Shelter say they are not seeking a new home for Good Boy until he is fully healed. After that, they'll decide what kind of care will best accommodate Good Boy's permanent disabilities caused by the gunshot.
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