Henry is an aging Golden Retriever who was abandoned on a beach in California at a time when he really needed the help and support of his humans. Fortunately for Henry, a friendly cop found him and stepped in to help.
Weighing in at over 120 lbs, over a third of that weight was a giant tumor growing on his right side. The 46 pound growth made it difficult for Henry to walk, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of this upbeat canine. His tail wagged at everybody who came near, and his happy demeanor won him lots of friends.
Animal Control Officer, Valerie Schomberg, who found the dog, said she believes that the condition in which Henry was discovered is a case of severe neglect, pure and simple. Dr. Karla Nichols, the veterinarian who decided to remove the tumor, said he was having trouble supporting its weight. “I knew we had to do something for him,” she told interviewers. “He is such a sweet dog.”
According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, between 6 and 8 million companion animals—dogs and cats—are abandoned each year in the United States. Of that number, approximately half are euthanized because they don’t find someone to adopt them.
Henry was one of the lucky ones. Watch this video to see how Henry looks now that the tumor has been removed. Happy as ever, even with half his fur shaved off, this Golden Retriever’s tail never stops wagging. It makes you wonder: who would abandon this engaging and friendly fellow? They don’t know what they’re missing!