Prickly Encounter - Dog Resembles Pin Cushion After Run-In With Porcupine
Trooper the Labrador did not just get a little unlucky, he came home looking like a walking pin cushion after a porcupine run-in that left his face packed with quills.
Abandoned and suffering on the streets, he was the kind of sight that makes your stomach drop, especially with quills around his mouth, snout, and even too close to his eyes. Brady Oliveira, a 26-year-old Winnipeg Blue Bombers player and lifelong animal rescuer, heard the call and drove out fast, knowing he would have to win Trooper’s trust before he could even get a leash on him.
The moment Brady finally saw Trooper’s “sad eyes,” the rescue stopped being a plan and turned into a race against time.
A Labrador named Trooper, abandoned and suffering from a face full of spines after a painful encounter with a porcupine, has found a new home after being rescued from the streets. Brady Oliveira, a football player and animal lover from Winnipeg, Canada, took immediate action upon hearing about Trooper's plight.
Trooper was left with numerous quills embedded in his face, including around his mouth, snout, and eyes, highlighting the urgency of his rescue and the need for immediate medical attention.
Brady Oliveira could not just grab Trooper and go, he had to sit with the scared black lab until the trust started to click.
Upon receiving a concerned call about the dog, Oliveira, a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team, sprang into action to rescue Trooper from his distressing state. Brady, aged 26, is known for his regular animal rescues, often sharing their journeys on his social media platforms (brady.oliveira).
Describing the heartbreaking scene, Oliveira stated, "The dog had a face full of quills and was in a lot of pain. I drove out to the community, and when I saw him, I was heartbroken! He was quite scared and timid, but I let him take all the time he needed until he started to trust me. His sad eyes were telling me that he was in a lot of pain and discomfort."
Once Trooper was safely leashed and loaded into Brady’s truck, the whole situation shifted from terrifying to urgent, like every mile mattered.
This also echoes Cooper’s family, who adopted a dog born with a unique spine condition.
Brady, who is the owner of three dogs himself, emphasized the importance of gaining Trooper's trust before attempting to handle him.
He explained, "I needed to sit with him for a bit until he could trust me, and then I could slip a leash on him and load him up in my truck."
After the quills were surgically removed and Trooper recovered, the story didn’t end at the clinic, it moved straight into the Winnipeg Humane Society adoption spotlight.
Brady and his friend quickly transported Trooper to the emergency veterinarian, where the spines were surgically removed. Despite being a bit swollen and scared, the black lab made a swift recovery. Trooper was later put up for adoption through the Winnipeg Humane Society, which described him as an "absolute joy."
And when Brady brought Trooper to his first adoption event, those Instagram followers finally got the payoff, because Trooper found a home just weeks later.
It was Oliveira who accompanied his new furry friend Trooper to his first adoption event, and just a couple of weeks later, the dog found a new home. Oliveira's Instagram followers were captivated by the adorable pup. One wrote, "What a sweet boy! Thank you for all you guys do!" Another said, "I’m so in love with Trooper and would adopt him in a heartbeat if I didn’t already have 3…ugh."
Porcupines' protective quills can detach upon contact or fall off when the rodent shakes its body. It's crucial to have the quills removed by a veterinarian who can provide the unfortunate victim with pain relief.
It all turned out fine. After a few days, he was completely healed.
Trooper went from “porcupine victim” to “absolute joy,” and Brady’s patience was the real reason he made it.
Brave volunteers had to free a dog trapped in tar that barked for help.
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