‘Sweet’ pup needed leg amputated to ‘save her life.’ Then a shelter stepped in

A “sweet” puppy needed her leg amputated to “save her life” — then a North Carolina shelter stepped in.

The Humane Society of Catawba County helped Joplin get the much-needed surgery, and now the three-legged pup waits for a home.

“I was the sad little pup that needed a leg amputation to save my life from infection,” the shelter said Sept. 10 in a Facebook post written from Joplin’s perspective. “That’s me no more! Now I’m a happy-go-lucky girl who has adjusted well to life on 3 legs, and is finally ready to find her forever family.”

Joplin got a second chance after she was left behind as a stray. She reportedly landed at a facility that “couldn’t handle the amount of care her injury came with,” so the humane society took her in.

“Due to some sort of extensive injury to her leg, Joplin was found neglected and dragging her front foot that had no feeling in it,” the shelter wrote in a past social media post. “With this being the case, her leg was past the point of saving and she needed an amputation. This needed to happen quickly.”

As the shelter feared an infection in her leg would spread, Joplin underwent surgery in late August. Now, about two weeks after the procedure, the pup needs a new owner.

“Joplin is sweet, spunky and well-behaved,” Kaitlyn Ewing, director of intake, rescue and foster coordination, told McClatchy News in an email. “She loves hugs, playing with other dogs and cats, and cuddling up with her foster mom.”

Joplin, now about 6 or 7 months old, is a mixed-breed dog. As of Sept. 11, the shelter’s website lists her as still available for adoption in the Hickory area, a roughly 50-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.

“While I’m still coming out of my shell, I have made strides in socialization and love hugs and to sneak a kiss when I’m able to,” the shelter wrote.

More details about the humane society’s adoption process can be found at catawbahumane.org .

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