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Health & Fitness

3-Legged Chihuahua Gets 2nd Chance at Life

Thanks to P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary Gala on March 21. Show your support for humane outreach for dogs and cats in the southwest suburbs.

The folks at P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park rescued an injured Chihuahua that was scheduled to be euthanized. While she has only three legs, 2-year-old Brialle is thriving and ready for adoption.

John Dillon, a former board member and current volunteer at P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park, has been serving as Brialle's foster parent since mid-January. The dog was rescued about six weeks ago from deplorable conditions discovered in Harrison County, Ohio. About 500 dogs were found in a barn. Authorities there said the animals were suffering from malnutrition. Many had sustained physical injuries. Initially rescue agencies from Ohio and Indiana, including the Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals, Dayton, Ohio, and P.A.W.S. Chicago along with Alsip to the Rescue Adoption Rescue, Frankfort, had picked up the animals  and spread the word to agencies throughout Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.  

Brialle, whose right rear leg was broken in two spots, was transferred to a shelter in Chicago. Because her injuries seemed too severe to correct, she was listed as among those that "sadly would be laid down," said Dillon.

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As part of a 40-year-old commitment to saving pets, the volunteers and staff at P.A.W.S. in Tinley Park have a practice that includes visiting shelters that lack a "no kill" policy, he said. Fortunately for Brialle the P.A.W.S. group arrived to the shelter and selected her as among those that deserved another chance.

Although her broken leg had been casted, he said, "It wasn't set well. She was in a lot of pain" when she arrived in Tinley Park. Veterinarians from Midwest Animal Hospital in Orland Park examined the wound and agreed that recasting or putting pins into her tiny leg would be more traumatic than amputation, he said.

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After a six-week recuperation period, Brialle is thriving. "She manages quite well on three legs," said Dillon. And today she is ready for adoption. P.A.W.S. "pulled 40 dogs" that day from the Chicago shelter.   

40th Anniversary Gala

Brialle's story is just one of the thousands of heartwarming outcomes that derive from the work done at P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park. You can help P.A.W.S. support their protective outreach on behalf of dogs and cats by supporting the upcoming 40th Anniversary Gala on March 21 at Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.

Tickets are $60 and the deadline for registration is March 10. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now for the 6th Annual Dinner Dance. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. on March 21 at the Odyssey Country Club, 1911 S. Ridgeland Ave., in Tinley Park. Guest will enjoy dinner (a Lenten entrée is available) and dancing. The event features a raffle of gift baskets donated by local businesses along with a Dyson vacuum cleaner and Keurig coffee maker. Two auctions—one live and one silent—make the event absolutely purrfect. Auction items include a Southwest Airlines ticket to anywhere the company flies, a trip to Disney World in Orlando, FL. and an autographed football by Chicago Bears player Kyle Long.

If you have a PayPal account, purchase your tickets online here.  You can also download the registration form here and drop it off or mail it to P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park, 8301 W. 191st St., Tinley Park, IL 60487.  For more information, contact Event Co-Chairperson John Dillon at (708) 805-3932 or in an email at jdillon4@mac.com.




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