German Shepherd found zip-tied and abandoned in Malibu is seen making remarkable recovery – as reward for finding cruel abusers shoots up to $25,000
Nearly three months after he was left for dead with his mouth tied shut in a remote Malibu ravine, German shepherd Argon is well on the road to recovery, DailyMail.com reports.
The seven-year-old dog has undergone a remarkable transformation since he was rescued in July, as seen in a recent photoshoot of the handsome boy.
The new photos, thanks to Dogma Pet Portraits in Costa Mesa, reveal a healthier, happier looking pup who has slowly but surely gained the trust of his caregivers at the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC).
The charity has been working hard to recover Argon after taking in the helpless dog just days after he was rescued by two unsuspecting walkers on July 3.
He was diagnosed with a double ear infection, trauma to his back legs, was 30 pounds underweight and was later diagnosed with lymphoma.
Since then, Argon’s condition and well-being have improved considerably. The dog is now more comfortable with people and even enjoys posing for close-ups.
German Shepherd Argon is well on his way to recovery, three months after he was found abandoned in a Malibu ravine. He is pictured above with carer and dog charity founder Maria Dales
The abandoned helpless dog was found on the brink of death on July 3, with its mouth and neck bound with cable ties
“He’s a master of posing, I can tell you that. He’s so photogenic,” said GSROC founder and director Maria Dales, who gave Argon his name.
‘Dogma Pet Portraits reached out to us and asked how they could help. They offered to do a photoshoot to raise awareness and I said, sure.’
Argon’s abusers remain at large and the reward for finding the perpetrators has now increased from $2,500 to $25,000.
The German Shepherd undergoes weekly chemotherapy sessions and his caregivers now hope they can find him a loving home once his treatments are completed in eight weeks.
“His spirits are really good. He’s coping with the chemo, which is great news because to be honest I was a bit scared about it,” Dales told DailyMail.com.
“The chemo is an injectable and oral medication. He goes to the oncologist for that, and they observe him while he’s being treated and then he goes back and just rests. It makes him a little tired, just like people do,” Dales explained.
Argon continues to receive the very best care from the shelter’s veterinarians at the renowned Saddleback Animal Hospital in Orange County, where he was admitted on July 10.
In addition to his own orthopedic bed, the handsome dog also has a new best friend.
The seven-year-old dog has since undergone a remarkable transformation, as seen in a recent dog photo shoot, courtesy of Dogma Pet Portraits in Costa Mesa
Argon, who was diagnosed with lymphoma after his rescue, continues to receive the very best care from the rescue organization’s veterinarians and California Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital’s oncologist, Dr. Mary Kay Blake (pictured).
Two hikers made the heartbreaking discovery while hiking in Malibu Creek Canyon, about 250 feet away along the side of the road, just before sunset in early July. The dog’s abusers are still at large
“He has a favorite veterinary assistant who teaches him to sit and shake hands,” Dales said.
‘He is not so closed to people anymore. He is much warmer now and lets himself be petted. He does not make a grimace or scream like he used to.
With proper medical care, lymphoma in dogs can go into remission.
“Despite everything he’s been through, Argon is still a great spirit,” Dales added.
“The fact that he’s so forgiving and starting to trust again is just so miraculous.”
GSROP has created Angels for Argon as a way to subsidize the high veterinary bills.
Under the name ‘the Argon Collection’, donors can buy everything from T-shirts and sweatshirts to magnets and bags featuring the pup’s face, with the money going directly to his care.
Dales, who founded GSROC in 1999, suspects Argon was used for breeding and then carelessly dumped about 75 yards away on the side of the road in Malibu Creek Canyon, just before sunset in the scorching summer heat.
“Based on my 30 years of experience in the industry, I suspect he was used as a stud and thrown away when they were done with him,” she said.
He is still intact. He is beautiful. Unfortunately he has not been well cared for. He probably comes from a breeder.
“Maybe someone will come forward and say, I got my German Shepherd from a breeder.”
She is now asking for the public’s help to find the perpetrators and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Animal shelter officials say Argon’s health and behavior have improved dramatically as the dog is now used to people
His caregivers now hope they can offer Argon a loving home once his chemotherapy treatments are completed within the next eight weeks.
The German Shepherd is in much better spirits these days, even happily posing for a close-up during a recent dog photo shoot, courtesy of Dogma Pet Portraits in Costa Mesa
Do you have a German Shepherd that you purchased from a breeder in the Los Angeles area?
- Anyone with information is asked to call (415) 879-6879 or visit the In Defense of Animals website here
“Do you suspect that Argon could be the father of your dog? Please send us any information you have, even anonymously. This person must be held accountable.”
It is unknown how long the dog was alone in the wild or how he survived. He could not pant, let alone drink or eat.
Argon was originally taken to the Agoura Animal Care Center near Malibu, where he was treated before being transferred to GSROC.
“Thankfully, there were those hikers, because if they hadn’t been there, I think he would have been attacked by animals, you know, coyotes. He wouldn’t have been able to defend himself,” Dales said.
The $25,000 reward, which led to information, the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator, was organized by In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization. They were the first to know about the rescue after receiving photos and videos of Argon taken by the hikers.
“The money comes from good-hearted people,” Dales said.
“We’re doing everything we can think of. There’s a tip line. I just can’t believe someone wouldn’t want $25,000 to report an animal abuser.
“There’s no excuse for this. There are so many options. They could have taken him to a shelter, they could have taken him to a vet. They could have called a rescue organization.
“We’re not giving up. We’re not leaving.”