VANCOUVER, WA (KPTV) -
A puppy left for dead is now in Washington, on its way to a better life.
Smudge was abandoned in California and now a Washington rescue group is taking in smudge and helping him get better.
Smudge is only 10-weeks-old and has already had a tough few months.
Rescuers believe someone dumped him when they realized he couldn't fully walk on his own.
A California shelter took Smudge in for a short time before Panda Paws Rescue, in Vancouver, WA, decided to take in the little guy.
That's when they discovered he had infections from open sores on his legs.
Just a day after he arrived in Washington, Smudge is already doing so much better from when he first got here.
"It was horrific conditions when he got here. He was covered in feces and urine and his fur, which I've had to shave off on his under belly to his legs were stained putrid orange," said Amanda Giese with Panda Paws Rescue.
Smudge still has a long road to recovery.
Next Tuesday, he has an exploratory surgery to check what type of infection he's dealing with internally.
That's when vets will also amputate his hind legs because he's paralyzed from the waist down. Eventually, Smudge will get fitted for a set of wheels to help him get around.
Smudge still has about six weeks before he might be ready to be adopted.
To help out Smudge or the Panda Paws Rescue log onto their website: www.pandapawsrescue.com
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