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Dogged comeback Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Volunteer Teresa Steel comforts Chief, a Saint Bernard rescued from neglect by the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation Inc. When he was taken in, Chief weighed less than 90 pounds instead of the usual 175 pounds for Saint Bernards his age. Love and constant care give neglected Sams Valley Saint Bernard a second chance at life By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Today, Central Point resident Teresa Steel can peer into Chief's liquid brown eyes and catch a glimpse of her own reflection. A few short weeks ago, it was almost impossible to see the 3-year-old Saint Bernard's eyes at all. Months of starvation and neglect had forced Chief's eyes to sink into his skull. Prolonged malnutrition stripped him of muscle and body fat. Chief's toenails cracked and bled, and eventually he lost the strength to stand. The massive dog - who would normally tip the scales at 175 pounds - weighed less than 90 pounds when brought to the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation Inc. in Shady Cove a few weeks ago. "He amazes me. Last week, it was all he could do to walk," said Steel, a local volunteer with the rescue foundation. "Look at him now." According to Jackson County Animal Control Director Colleen Macuk, Chief arrived at the shelter shortly before Christmas. His owners, who lived on East Antelope Road, were in the middle of a divorce when the neglect took place, Macuk said. Macuk said the woman apparently moved out of the couple's Sams Valley home and the man - whose identity has not been confirmed - kept Chief tied to a tree in his back yard. Macuk said Chief was reportedly neglected for three months. "He was really in bad shape," she said. "Not being fed was the main thing." Once the ex-wife became aware of the dog's condition, Macuk said the woman brought Chief into the animal shelter and signed him over to the county. Local veterinarians had to feed Chief intravenously. Beck said it's miracle he survived. Macuk said the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation later agreed to care for Chief and find the large dog a permanent home. Around-the-clock care and generous doses of tender loving care have given Chief his strength back. He's able to romp and play for short periods of time, Beck added. Chief now weighs in at more than 100 pounds, and has begun the long-process of gaining back his strength and stamina. Until then, the long-haired, brown-and-white dog with massive paws must wear a jacket to keep himself warm. He's also on a special diet that will allow him to properly gain back the weight he lost. "When you see these kinds of cases, you want to feed them a whole bag of dog food, but you just can't do that," Beck said. "You have to be careful." The ordeal hasn't changed Chief one bit, said Steel. He remains a loving, gentle goof-ball will floppy ears and a woolly coat. "It's just unconditional love. He's been through more than I could probably go through, and just look at him," she said. "He's full of unconditional love." Eventually, Chief will be placed up for adoption. Applicants must pass an intensive screening process before being considered, Beck added. Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston said on Monday he's unsure when, or if, neglect charges will be filed against Chief's former owners. Unfortunately, Macuk said Chief's situation isn't unusual. In 2001, animal control handled 322 cases of cruelty and neglect. "We've seen cases worse than this. We've seen cases where this animal is just a skeleton with skin stretched across," she said. "It's just awful." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.