The story began on 20th May 2023. Spinach was just two months old when he was taken in by the shelter in Austin, Texas. The initial diagnosis was serious: the puppy had a severe eye infection that required immediate surgery. Vets had to perform an enucleation to stop the infection and save his life.
Despite losing his eye, Spinach turned out to be a young dog full of energy. His enthusiastic nature, love for tug-of-war, and curiosity about the outdoors were a stark contrast to the reality of his daily life in a kennel.
An endless wait in scorching heat
Time went by, and Spinach spent his first birthday behind bars. The shelter's rescuers documented his long wait: he spent 432 days in his concrete kennel after arriving as a young puppy.
During this time, Texas was hit by intense heatwaves. As the shelter's facilities are outdoors, the team had to work tirelessly to keep the residents safe. Fans, misters, and air coolers were used constantly to make the air breathable, but these conditions were still a far cry from the comfort of a home. Over the months, staff noticed a change in Spinach. His natural enthusiasm began to fade, replaced by a sad expression and a loss of appetite due to the stress of his prolonged confinement.
A new life in Oklahoma
His luck finally turned when his story gained traction on social media. A family in Oklahoma felt an instant connection with the Pyrenean Mountain Dog and decided to start the adoption process.
After waiting for over a year, Spinach left the shelter for good. Renamed Frankie, he has now settled into his new home, where he enjoys an air-conditioned environment and plenty of space for a dog of his size.
