When lurcher Steve was found tied up to a lamp post at a bus stop, in Canterbury, Kent, he was freezing cold, terrified, and in pain.
It turned out that he had a badly broken right leg, and had been abandoned on a cold, dark night to fend for himself.
Thankfully he was spotted by someone, who called up Dogs Trust. They collected the poor dog – then aged between one and two years old – and took him to a vet, who called the RSPCA.
An inspector then transferred Steve to RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital for emergency treatment.
Senior vet Áine Maguire said: ‘Poor Steve was cowering and terrified when he arrived.
‘He didn’t want to be handled and definitely didn’t want any needles near him.
‘X-rays revealed a complete fracture of the long bones of his right foreleg (radius and ulna).
‘I could tell by how he flinched and snarled how much pain he must be in.
‘Time was of the essence if we wanted to avoid having to amputate his leg.’
Thankfully, Steve avoided amputation thanks to emergency surgery that inserted two metal plates and involved a bone graft from the dog’s shoulder to fix the break.
He stayed in recovery at Finsbury park for a month, then moved over to RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre for the tricky process of rehabilitation and behavioural therapy, to teach Steve that people aren’t all bad.
Behaviour and welfare advisor Jacque Kaye remembers: ‘Steve would retreat to the back of his kennel, growling, whenever someone came near.
‘We knew he had deep emotional scars and we’d need to work with him for some time in order to get him ready for adoption.
‘It’s always difficult when a dog’s been abandoned because there’s no history.
‘We had no idea what Steve’s life had been like or how his leg had been broken. He was very wary of people and we didn’t know if he’d always been anxious, or whether it was because of what had happened.
‘Why didn’t someone take him to a vet? Every scenario is heartbreaking; this poor dog just hadn’t been cared for.’
With such a traumatised dog, the team knew to take things slowly.
They worked patiently to grow his confidence with people, other animals, traffic, lead walking and playing – all the experiences he’d missed out on as a puppy.
It took many months, but the transformation was dramatic – and eventually, he was ready to be put up for rehoming.
RSPCA staff knew Steve would need a very special family, who would be patient with him as he learned to love again.
He found just that in retired couple Suzi and Graham.
‘When I spotted Steve online I felt so sad for him,’ said Suzi. ‘I knew that we’d have the time and commitment to give him the right, loving home and continue his training.’
After several visits to the centre and home visits, Jacque was happy Steve had met his match. In early July, he was ready to start his new life.
Now, he’s thriving in a home where he gets all the love and attention he deserves.
‘He loves cuddles and toys,’ says Suzi, from Purley, south London. ‘It’s like the puppyhood he missed out on is coming out.
‘We’re grateful to everyone at the RSPCA who’s been involved in turning Steve’s life around.
‘It’s really rewarding to adopt a dog who needs this kind of care.
‘He’s the most loving dog. He’s full of energy and likes plenty of walks.
‘We still need to work on his recall, although now he does at least look when we call him – so we’re getting there!
‘But he’s such a gorgeous boy, we’re happy to take it slowly and do whatever he needs.
‘We couldn’t be happier – and there will be plenty of new toys under the tree for him this Christmas.’
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