Can you remember the last time you got a paper cut?  It burned worse than a bee sting, and usually bled like a stuck hog. Remember how you cringed and winced everytime you bumped it against something until it healed?  Wonder what it would feel like if it never healed?
 
Can you remember the last time you went without eating dinner? Do you remember the last time you went without a meal for an entire day or two? What about a week? Have you ever had to scrounge for buzzard leftovers and trash along the roadside?  Probably not.
 
Meet Sooner...one look and you can see this poor fella has missed several meals. This medium frame little man should be toting another 15 pounds or more. His protruding ribs and hipbones tell us that he's been hungry for quite some time.

...but Sooner would never let you know that. His entire little bony, lanky body shakes when he wags his tail to greet you, begging for some love. His crystal blue eyes look up to you, full of question, wonder and hope that you will just simply notice him, and give him a gentle pat on the head, or a scratch behind the ear. To him, that gentle caress makes his world better, and he will never let you know that he needs anything more.  He knew sooner or later, he was bound to find somone that would notice him. 
Know what else, this sweet little man won't tell you? 

Sooner won't tell you what happened to his tail. Perhaps it is the result of a backyard, vet-free, taildocking gone wrong. Maybe it some freak accident. He could have been hit by a car.  No one knows, and Sooner is not saying a word...and he doesn't have to.  We see all we need to see.
 
WARNING -  Graphic Image.

This is a picture of Sooner's skinless tail, the tissue around it is starting to rot and the bone is exposed. This brave little boy never let's out a whimper, even though it must be horribly painful. Remember how much you cringed at the papercut? 

We are so thankful we were notified and were able to step in and save him before the infection spread throughout his entire body.

 
This sweet little man, with a weakened little wag of the tail and a sparkle in his beautiful eyes, that could light the entire world, is going to need to help to get though this. His tail will need to be amputated. He is severely malnourished and dehydrated. He will undergo rounds of antibiotics to also clear a horrible skin infection. Good news though, he is heartworm negative.

Sooner has come a long way, but he still has quite the journey ahead.  He will be under vet care for several days before he is able to be placed with a foster.  However, we know that with some proper nutrition, some much needed medical treatment and a whole lotta love, this little man is going to find the wonderful furever home he so deserves....and soon.