The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards nominees will be introduced on March 29th when voting opens. Visit them at herodogawards.org to vote for your favorite hero. We would like to share the story of last year's winner Hooch.
Hooch American Humane Hero of the Year for 2016
"Hooch is a French Mastiff with badly cropped
ears, a broken tail, no tongue and the brightest spirit you’ll ever encounter.
Zach Skow, of Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue, was alerted about him by a shelter in
Bakersfield, and was told that the dog wouldn’t eat or drink, and would instead
thrash his food and water bowls around like a maniac. By the time he was pulled
to freedom, he was 35 pounds underweight – starving, dehydrated and severely
malnourished. Never thinking to check for a missing tongue, they thought he
might have a broken or dislocated jaw that was causing his behavior. When taken
to the vet, he was sedated to ready him for x-rays, and the gruesome discovery
was made… Hooch’s tongue had been savagely removed at its base, likely in an
attempt to prime him for the role of a bait dog. After using a feeding
tube (Hooch kept yanking it out) it was discovered that Hooch could be
hand-fed! He tilts his head back while Zach has a handful of food and
places it in the back of Hooch’s throat and they let gravity do the rest. Hooch
stands for overcoming adversity, bravery and living in the moment. He spends
many hours with Marley’s Mutts Miracle Mutts division, as a therapy dog.
He works with autistic, abused and special needs children. Hooch is
known for showing patience and kindness and is proof that anything can be
overcome. He is our hero and the best mascot for bravery around." from American Humane Hero Dog Awards site