LONG ISLAND CITY — PeeWee is a 13-year-old dachshund who's persevered through some health problems and is now back on track, and looking for a loving home where he can enjoy his golden years.
A pair of animal rescue groups — Long Island City's LIC Ferals and Friends and UpsNDowns Rescue in Connecticut — pulled Peewee from the Animal Care and Control shelter in Manhattan about two years ago.
"He was in really bad shape," said LIC Ferals' Gina Lori, who said the small dog had swollen glands, and a back condition common in dachshunds that caused paralysis in his back legs.
After surgery and bouts of water therapy, PeeWee learned to walk again about a year and a half ago and is now back on his feet.
"He's just an overall really sweet, very tenacious guy. He's been through so much," said Lori, who added that while he's a senior dog, PeeWee is young at heart.
"He really acts spunky — he plays with toys and he's very curious. He likes to meet other dogs, he gets along with cats," she said.
PeeWee weighs 12 and 1/2 pounds, and is on a special holistic diet so he can maintain his figure. He also needs to do special exercises to keep his back muscles strong.
Lori said PeeWee has been looking for a home for a while, as some potential adopters are put off by his previous health issues. But she says he'll make a wonderful pet for the right owner.
"He's very loving," she said. "Once he gets to know you, he's really a super great dog."
How to adopt: If you're interested in adopting PeeWee, contact LIC Ferals and Friends at licferals@gmail.com or Ups N Downs Rescue at upsndownsrescue@gmail.com.
Adopt-A-Pet of the Week is a series where we highlight dogs that need a home. For a limited time, Barkbox, a service that brings care packages to dogs, will offer a gift card for three months of care packages to anyone who adopts a dog featured in this series. To claim your reward, drop us a line.
