Tristan is a 2-year-old Terrier Mix in Marshall, TX, who needs $2,000 for Metal Plate Implants.

As is the case with most of the dogs that come into our municipal shelter, next to nothing is known about Tristan or his history. A good samaritan picked him up from the side of a county road, seeing that he was injured and in pain. We had him taken immediately to a vet for evaluation, where it was discovered he had clean breaks in his tibia and fibula.

All signs are that Tristan will make a great family pet after he’s treated. Every person who has interacted with him has commented on what a sweet dog he is.

Tristan has been failed by people at least once, and perhaps for all his estimated two years. He was found with no collar, unaltered, and most likely carrying heart worms. That he is so quick to trust people is touching, and a little heartbreaking.

Tristan was presumably struck by a vehicle, which broke his rear leg in two places. In order to heal properly and save his leg, an orthopedic surgeon will implant metal plates and screws.

Our municipal shelter is not budgeted to provide more than preventive care for the dogs and cats that come in. Friends of Marshall Animals, the shelter’s 501(c)(3) support organization, does all it can to rehabilitate every otherwise-adoptable animal.