Disabled dogs dumped in Rio Rancho find a foster home

Two disabled dogs, Bambi and Thumper, have found a foster home after they were found roaming streets in Rio Rancho early this month.

Bambi and Thumper, two shepherd-mix dogs, were brought to the Sandoval County animal shelter Feb. 2 and were recently transferred to Cross My Paws. Bambi and Thumper were the stars of an adoption event over the weekend at R&S West in Albuquerque.

Both dogs suffer from front leg deformities. Because the dogs were found in a largely healthy condition and their leg deformities would have made living as strays nearly impossible, county representatives say the dogs were likely dumped onto the streets by their previous owner.

They were found near King Blvd. and Ramparts Road and have no collars, tags or microchips.

Both Bambi and Thumper have since been placed in foster care with Gabe Garwick as they await their surgeries.

“They are both so sweet,” Lani Nash, executive director and president at Cross my Paws, said. “And they are thriving with their foster.”

Bambi and Thumper are in need of multiple surgeries, but Nash said surgeons have said there’s no reason the dogs can’t live healthy, normal lives after the operations. Garwick said neither dog is in pain from the leg deformities.

“They’re both very sweet; they like to hang out outside in the grass. Thumper is a little more shy, but she’ll come out of the house on her own now,” Garwick said. “Bambi is also very sweet; she likes to give a lot of kisses. She’s faster than she looks. She got some pretty good hops; she can hop up on the sofa pretty easily.”

Nash is still trying to figure out the best path to take regarding surgery for Bambi and Thumper.

“We’re in the beginning stages of trying to figure it out. If I get six or seven different opinions as to what’s going on and what can be done, two or three of them might match. We might have to go with the general consensus of surgeons and see what they think can and should be done.”

Whatever is decided, the surgeries are going to be expensive, and Cross My Paws is taking on the cost. The rescue is asking community members for assistance getting Bambi and Thumper the help they need; to donate to Cross My Paws, click here. Nash said to make a note that the donation is for Bambi and Thumper, which will send that money into a separate account.

“It’s always nice when the community can step up and help,” Nash said. “But we’ll pay whatever is needed to help these dogs.”

Once they have recovered, Bambi and Thumper will need a forever home. If you are interested in adopting Bambi and Thumper, reach out to Cross My Paws at 615-477-6217 or online.