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Dog Found in Flea, Feces-Infested Basement Gains Weight, Starts To Walk

Precious, a 3-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix was found in a flea and feces-infested basement in early June weighing in at 19 pounds, has recently started to walk and weighed in at 25.5 pounds June 25.

MEDIA–Positive news comes from Precious, a. Precious has gained weight since coming to the Delaware County SPCA in critical condition.

According to Justina Calgiano, director of community relations at the Delco SPCA, Precious first came to the animal shelter weighing in at 19 pounds and unable to walk.

As of Tuesday morning, Precious weighed in at 26 pounds and has began to walk. She should weigh approximately 45-50 pounds.

"We took her for her very first walk outside today [Monday], a very slow, very short walk. She’s extremely gentle and very trusting of the people caring for her," said Calgiano in an update to Patch over email.

According to Calgiano, Precious receives three regular meals a day and is under the care of Dr. Kim Boudwin, the Director of Shelter Medicineat Delco SPCA. In addition, Precious has received a few special visitors.

On Saturday, June 23, the Delco SPCA posted:

Precious got a special visit from Philadelphia-based independent filmmaker Michael James Murray today who is going to put together a piece that will show the world how special our girl is. She melted in his hands, as you can see. It's amazing to see how resilient she is with all different people. Michael James documented many things; among them, her walking around the Isolation Unit (usually following around her ISO momma Elenor), getting weighed (she's 25.2 pounds today!) and eating one of her daily three meals.

Precious was found when the hot water heater burst in the basement of a Chester home. Repair workers found the skeletal frame of a barely-alive dog amidst the water, debris, fleas and feces. When she was found, she was unable to walk and put her head up.

Precious' former owner was cited on June 14 with two animal cruelty offenses: failure to provide sustenance (lack of feeding) and failure to provide veterinary care.

For anyone interested in donating to Precious’ care, donations can be made at http://delcospca.org/donations/ or by sending a check to the Delco SPCA at 555 Sandy Bank Road in Media, PA 19063. Checks can be made out to the Delaware County SPCA with a note that the funds are for Precious’ care.

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Boot Road Resident February 25, 2013 at 07:21 pm
I am sure all of these people are well qualified but they certainly have been living off our dimeRead More for a very long time. I hope they will enjoy their sizeable pension when they retire at 55.
Mike M March 3, 2013 at 01:43 pm
Is this the same Mackrides who gets his son out of trouble for jumping disabled adults at partiesRead More and trashing school district property? http://articles.philly.com/2001-02-20/news/25317992_1_assault-claim-underage-drinking-william-j-murphy So this guy wants to lie for his son (who went on to accept judgement equating to guilt) and then turn around and judge us. http://articles.philly.com/2001-04-24/news/25331355_1_assault-charge-underage-drinking-party-probation Machine politics is a joke.
Mike M March 3, 2013 at 01:47 pm
And for the record Chip Mackrides seems to be the uncle of the human crime spree, not the father.