Nelson's Home for the Holidays: The Severely Ill Pup Recovered, and Thousands Wanted to Adopt Him

Nelson, a critically ill pup from a “puppy mill” that a person purchased from the internet, was recently saved by MSPCA-Angell doctors. Last week, the Shar Pei was put up for adoption, and received more than 1,000 inquiries.

The MSPCA is happy to report that Nelson was placed in his forever home with Chuck Rees and Kayla Penney of Saugus. Nelson met Rees and Penney’s two-year-old Shar Pei last week at the MSPCA’s Jamaica Plain adoption center and it was love at first sight.

Mugsy’s name may sound familiar, too. In 2013, the then six-month-old Mugsy spent nearly a month at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center recovering from a very rare flesh eating bacteria. The brave pup recovered fully and is today a healthy and happy adult, and now with a new puppy friend.

“The MSPCA is profoundly grateful to everyone who shared Nelson’s story on social media and expressed interest in him,” said spokesperson Rob Halpin. “Often in these scenarios the increased foot traffic to the adoption center means other dogs - and cats and rabbits - are adopted by folks who came in hoping for Nelson but still left with a new four-legged friend.”

Earlier this month, Nelson was purchased online and shipped from Missouri to Massachusetts to his new home.

The nine-week-old pup arrived, by truck, so sick that he needed emergency veterinary intervention. He was brought to MSPCA-Angell, who named him Nelson and treated the severely ill dog.

The dog was brought to MSPCA by his former owner on Monday, Dec. 7, suffering from lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Nelson had been in Massachusetts for only a week, having endured the 20-hour trip from Missouri in a small cage to reach the state.

Angell surgeons discovered that Nelson’s intestines were entangled and they had to remove a large portion, re-positon and re-insert them into his tiny abdomen.

Photo Credit: MSPCA