Pet Of The Week: Hercules

By Rachel Wells, Pet Refuge

Meet Hercules! Take a look at this majestic guy! He’s about five years young and came to us with a really heartbreaking story.

Hercules was previously owned by an elderly woman who passed away. Her neighbors who took care of the gardening on her property noticed him outside one day and realized the woman’s children had abandoned him. They scooped him up and brought him to their house. Though they loved Hercules, their two dogs at home were not happy about the newest addition and it became noticeable that he was stressed being there.

They then brought him to the Pet Refuge where our staff took one look at his weak, matted, severely overweight body and rushed him to the vet where he was shaved and evaluated. We discovered then and there that Hercules may have previously been given insulin shots by his owner and his sugar levels were through the roof. He spent about a week at Ocean State before returning to the Refuge to receive insulin first twice a day, then every few days until his levels came down.

He now requires no insulin but does have to be fed a special diet of a high protein wet food three times daily to insure that he stays healthy and happy.

Herc is a pretty low maintenance guy and he would really love to find someone who understands what he’s been through and who’s willing to be his final forever companion. He enjoys the company of people and loves to be fed and brushed. In Greek mythology, “Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far- ranging adventures.” To apply to be this handsome boy’s sidekick please contact the Pet Refuge at 294-1115 or come by the shelter located at 500 Stony Lane, North Kingstown.