Poster child, Jess, still looking for a home

I received this plea from Liz Kracht with Amigos de los Animales:

Please circulate to your friends and family. Jess is the Dead Dog Beach poster boy for abuse, and it's time we get him a home and change that story.

We are desperate to find Jess a permanent home. Jess was abandoned at Dead Dog Beach in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, after having hot oil thrown on him. He was left at the beach with the burn embedded so deeply that his rib bones were visible. Steve McGarva, the caretaker and burier of dogs at the beach (Steve has buried over1,000 dogs in 2 years), sewed Jess's wound by hand in an effort to help him heal. When I first saw Jess atthe beach in early September of 2006, Jess still had oil in his fur.

We rescued Jess from the beach around late October. Jess never really realized he was injured or disfigured. Amazingly his wound has never been infected. It has taken a long time to heal, but the last silver-dollar-sized scab is finally growing a sheath of skin over it after triple anti-biotics, aloe vera, vitamin E oil, and Jess wearing a beautiful green t-shirt. Jess was the picture of health at the vet's. He was only treated for parasites, and is up to date on all vaccinations, and is neutered.

Jess is seeking a particular type of guardian. Jess needs activity, and lots of it. We had to kennel Jess for about 2-3 months before we found him fostercare with a yard, and he wasn't happy about the kennel. He does not do well in the kennel. He gets stir crazy. Jess is a very active dog, and was used to running the beach at Steve's side, tirelessly. Being in cramped quarters is not for Jess. Jess needs someone who is active and athletic and not afraid of his strength. Jess is a strong dog, but he is not unruly. He would benefit from obedience training to help him harness his power, but he does walk well on a leash.

Jess should not be placed with cats, other small animals, or male dogs. Even though I have never witnessed Jess with small children, I suggest he not be placed with small children either. Jess does fine with female dogs, however, and would probably be fine in a household with teenagers, especially if they will throw the ball for him, or throw a frisbee for him. Jess would be the quintessential frisbee dog. Apparently Jess likes to swim in the pool also.

Jess is a really good boy. He's a very loyal dog, and will bond to his new guardian completely. He will want to accompany you everywhere! I've driven Jess in the car, in the front seat next to me, and he is a very good boy in the car, especially if you twizzle his ears while you drive.

Jess is seeking a guardian that can give him some room to run around, a nice fenced yard, or some acres. Jess really needs someone able to give him one on one time, and to be active with him. Jess wouldn't be happy left to himself for long. And Jess definitely needs a guardian who is not afraid of him and his strength, or afraid of his scar.

Please help us get Jess a loving home. If you know any athletes out there needing a loyal companion, pass this along to them. And if you have any questions about Jess at all, please email me elizabeth_kracht@yahoo.com, or call me at (787) 455-6058. And please forward this to friends, family or other rescuers for cross-posting. Thank you so very much.

OH! Almost forgot. Jess MAY be featured in Traer Scott's upcoming book "Street Dogs" due out in the summer. Traer shot part of her book here in Puerto Rico, and she took both of the attached photos of Jess on her visit. Check out her last book "Shelter Dogs" to get a feel for what to expect. Her last book was awesome, and this upcoming one, I think, will be spectacular.

All travel for Jess is paid for. Travel from Puerto Rico to the Continental U.S. is like State to State travel. There are no quarantines or special requirements. Amigos de los Animales will take care of all the arrangements.