Sweet dog that delivered six pups and recovered from dislocated hip now available for adoption

Hera is a 2-year-old German Shepherd mix that came to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center through its Mission for Home Rescue Program after a plea to help the dog and her six puppies.  

Still nursing, Hera and her family had to get out of the Riverside Shelter and into a foster home.  Luckily, Mission Viejo has a savvy foster family that opens their home to nursing dogs and their pups until they are old enough to be adopted.  While in foster, the family noticed Hera was unable to jump on the couch and limped while on walks.  After a veterinarian examination, staff discovered Hera had long been suffering from a dislocated hip.  Imagine the pain associated with pregnancy, shelter life, and delivering and nursing six pups all with a dislocated femur. 

"We can't imagine what happened to this sweet dog, but we do know that she was steadfast in the care of her pups and remained a sweet and loving dog," said Animal Care Supervisor Brynn Lavison. "After her pups were weaned and adopted, it was determined that her hip would never be normal again, so Dedicated Animal Welfare Group paid for a specialty surgeon to perform a Femoral Head Osteotomy, which is basically the removal of the head of the femoral bone.  This relieved all the pain she was in, and she has healed beautifully." 

Hera is now ready for her forever home.  She is a sweet and gentle dog that can be shy around new people and surroundings, but she is very much a people dog.  She would flourish in a quiet home where she is the center of attention.  If you are interested in adopting this brave mama, call 949-470-3045 or visit cmvas.org.