Over the years, HLCR’s mission has honed in on a primary goal– rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs with special medical and behavioral needs. Sadly, few organizations within Central Texas possess the resources necessary to share this charter, and we have found there is a significant gap to fill within our local community. The lives of these “Diamonds in the Ruff” are greatly at risk. At HLCR we are committed to finding the unpolished gems and devoting the additional time and funding necessary to make them adoptable again.
CHERRY
Cherry is a rowdy but friendly French Bulldog mix who was found as a stray in the San Antonio area. Bandera Animal control reached out to us for assistance with Cherry because their air conditioning was not working, and brachycephalic dogs like Cherry are at a higher risk for heat stroke.
Ensuring her safety, we transferred her to our facility. Unfortunately, Cherry has since tested positive for heartworms, but we are committed to providing her with the necessary treatment to eradicate this condition. Once she has been spayed and the heartworm treatment process has begun, our focus will shift towards finding her a loving forever home.
Despite the challenges she has faced thus far, Cherry’s spirit remains resilient, and we are confident that her journey will lead her to a brighter future filled with love!
BARRY
Open your hearts for Barry, a very shy two year old pup in need of a little time and nurturing. Barry was an owner surrender to one of our partners, but the nature of why they surrendered is unknown.
Barry is currently going through a lot of stress during this transition period of his life. As a Diamond, Barry will receive specific assistance to address his fearful behavior and anxiety. One step at a time, staff will apply appropriate socialization techniques based on his progress to help him come out of his shell. With the help of our wonderful volunteers, Barry will get designated periods of time meant just for one on one interactions with him to rehabilitate and nurture a sense of trust.
This will include periods for walks, cuddle or play time and more until he is ready to put himself out there for a stable, forever family.
CEDRIC
Cedric’s journey began when he was rescued from a challenging dog hoarding situation on a ranch. Among many puppies on the property, Cedric and one of his sisters found their way to us when animal control began distributing the many dogs.
While his sister Klover quickly warmed up to her surroundings, Cedric remained guarded and deeply fearful. Helping Cedric overcome his ingrained fear has been a long, patient process. To support him, he has started medication to help stabilize his emotions, and we have established a dedicated daily socialization routine for him. During these sessions, a staff member or volunteer spends intentional time with Cedric, providing him with the interaction he needs to build trust and unwind.
While the root of his fear remains a mystery, our commitment to earning Cedric’s trust and love is unwavering. With patience, understanding, and a lot of love, we are determined to help Cedric overcome his past and discover the joy and security he deserves.
DRAX
This precious canine, like a frog prince in disguise, initially suffered from full-body hair loss caused by demodex mange, a condition that went untreated for over a year under the care of neglectful owners.
After joining us at HLCR, he underwent many months of medications and medicated baths to kill the pesky demodex mites, and has recovered most of his hair!
Drax is still in treatment for a resistant infection in all four paws, but we are hopeful that his current treatment plan will repair his skin once and for all and prepare him for adoption. Drax is just one kiss away from transforming into the prince he truly is, and we feel incredibly blessed to be the ones guiding him on this journey of recovery
LOUISA & DAPHNE
Both being as sweet as pie with quirky, cute looks, it’s hard to imagine someone not falling in love with these two!
Growing up in an isolated environment, Daphne and Louisa were raised amongst mom and siblings with little outside socialization for months. Falling into the care of one of our partners at Bandera Animal Control, it was clear this wiggly duo only needed a platform to quickly find a loving home. But upon closer inspection, both seemed to have some skin redness and irritation on the face and other sensitive areas.
As Diamonds, they will receive a closer supervision of their condition as well as a diet curated for nutrition, allergies and sensitive skin. Despite this, their joy is so infectious and they remain curious of their environment. We will continue to nurture their lovely disposition and discovery, as we treat to get them a home of their own!
GROOT
Groot is yet another remarkable member of HLCR’s Diamonds in the Ruff rehabilitation program. His journey began as a stray in the San Antonio area, and while it remains unclear how long he wandered, his condition at intake was poor!
He arrived at our shelter grossly underweight and in the process of recovering from a substantial wound on his spine. To add to his challenges, Groot also tested positive for heartworms shortly after joining us.
Despite these obstacles, he’s now on a dedicated weight gain plan and has been fully vetted. His heartworm treatment is upcoming and expected to be a full success. The wound on his back, once a source of pain, is now nearly healed, and Groot’s rambunctious personality is beginning to shine through!
BOOGIE & WOOGIE
Boogie and Woogie, just like their spirited names suggest, are a perpetual party! These inseparable brothers were discovered wandering as strays and were taken in by animal control.
Unfortunately, they both arrived with full-body hair loss and skin irritation, likely stemming from skin or food allergies.They’re currently undergoing treatment, which includes allergy medication, medicated baths and a sensitive diet to heal their coats from the inside out.
It won’t be too long before Boogie and Woogie are dancing their way into their forever homes, showcasing their newfound glorious coats.
TRIXIE
A brand new mother, Trixie is a proud mom and protective of her adorable, tiny puppies. Trixie and her siblings, Cher and Sonny, come from the same household that had taken in needy dogs from emergency situations but was unable to keep them due to an upcoming move.
Now a part of our Diamond program, Trixie and her little sweets will receive support every step of the way. Additionally, mothers are less likely to be adopted, even well after post-pregnancy. This makes her an ideal candidate that can benefit from being in our Diamonds in the Ruff program.
Taking advantage of our new Critical Care facility, Trixie can raise her babies in a clean, quiet and quarantined environment with plenty of time for her babies to grow up in a safe environment and find a home of her own when the time comes!
SONNY
With his button nose and adorable almond eyes, Sonny is sure to break some hearts. Sonny comes from a household that had taken in needy dogs from emergency situations, but was unable to keep all of them due to an upcoming move.
Though not apparent at a glance, we suspect that his eyes and eyelids may need medical attention. As a Diamond, Sonny will receive a veterinary consultation. Based on prior experiences, we believe that Sonny may have a condition called entropion, in which the eyelashes curve inward and may cause damage to the surface of the eye.
If confirmed, Sonny will undergo surgical correction to protect his beautiful eyes from any progressive damage. Despite this, we are confident it won’t take long for this little guy to get his big break and find a permanent home.
SMOKEY & BANDIT
Smokey and Bandit are a closely bonded pair of littermates. Adopted together, these brothers have faced life’s ups and downs side by side.
Sadly, their previous family is no longer able to care for them, and they are now in HLCR’s care. Both brothers were born with a genetic dry-eye condition and require once-daily medication in the form of eye drops.
Despite their challenges, we’re thrilled to welcome this endearing duo into our Diamonds in the Ruff rehabilitation program.
Our aim is to find them a forever home where they can remain together, providing each other with the comfort and support they’ve always known.
AUTUMN
We just can’t wrap our heads around neglectful care! Someone placed a collar on Autumn when she was a pup, and never resized it or removed it as she grew.
This caused her body to grow around the collar, which created a large necrotic wound that spanned the entire circumference of her neck. When animal control found her, they immediately reached out to a local veterinarian and begged for help. Once the removal surgery was completed, good Samaritans from around the community called in and paid much of the medical tab.
HLCR picked up the rest and got the ultimate prize – taking in sweet Autumn! There are many bandage changes and months of detailed wound care to come, but we are committed to seeing her through the healing process and helping her reclaim her final months of puppyhood!
Diamonds don’t stay rough around here for long! These polished and sparkling gems have completed treatments and found long term solutions. Take home an Alumni of our Diamond In The Ruff mission, and share your life with our best patients.
Penny
Penny, a resilient mother, has overcome a challenging journey and is now available for adoption.
Originally under the care of our partners at Hill Country Humane Society, Penny came to them in late-term pregnancy. Recognizing the space and resources required to raise both her and her puppies, they reached out to us for help.
After just a week at our shelter, Penny went into labor. While closely monitoring her, it became evident that something was amiss. In a race against time, we transported her to Hope Animal Clinic.
It was discovered that one of the puppies was stuck in the birthing canal. An emergency cesarean section was performed. All eight of her beautiful puppies, including the little one that had been trapped, were safely delivered.
Penny is now completely recovered, spayed, and ready to pursue a family of her own!
Luna
Luna eagerly awaits her forever family! Before finding her way into the shelter system, her family of many years made the difficult decision to surrender her to one of our partners.
She had several masses growing on her back and legs, raising concerns about the possibility of cancer. To increase Luna’s chances of finding a forever home, removing and testing the lumps were paramount, making her a perfect fit as an HLCR Diamond.
With the help of our partners at Spicewood Vet Clinic, Luna underwent surgery to remove the masses. Fortunately, the lumps were not cancerous. Luna also had a recurring flareup of skin irritation around her eyes, now relieved by a grain-free diet.
We are delighted to present Luna worry free and more adoptable than ever!
Ruby
A hidden gem, Ruby holds the title as the longest-standing resident at the shelter. She joined us during a space crisis at a partnering shelter in Waco.
Upon her arrival to HLCR, Ruby tested positive for heartworms. However, over the course of her 12 months with us, we guided her through the necessary treatment process. Just days shy of her third birthday, Ruby received the incredible news that she had tested negative for heartworms.
This victory means she can now fully embrace a life of running, romping, wrestling, and playing fetch to her heart’s content.
She has spent enough time in the shelter system and we can’t wait to see her embark on a new chapter with a family of her own!
Tony
Survivor, Sissy, Truffle and Tony were originally outdoor dogs residing in the country outskirts of Marble Falls, but their owner sadly passed away. They were now without their human, and extreme heat and a series of severe storms were approaching the Central Texas area.
Concerned relatives embarked on a time-sensitive search for a suitable sanctuary for these dogs, considering that some of them were senior, overweight, and on a property with no yard. Once we got the call, staff helped the family catch these babies for further examination and transfer to the shelter.
Although they were initially terrified and unable to be handled, they have now all acclimated perfectly and are happy, social dogs! All prior medical needs – such as dentals, growth removals, skin care, and weight loss – have been successfully resolved during their time at HLCR. Sissy, Survivor & Truffle have already found their happily ever after. Now Tony is ready to find the perfect family!
Fran
Fran, a resilient dog who is ready to embrace a life filled with love and care. Fran’s journey started as an exclusively backyard dog, left to fend for herself in poor conditions until animal control came to her rescue.
Due to her previous hands-off owners, Fran never received the socialization she needed, but we’re committed to helping her overcome these challenges and make up for lost time! She has at last been successfully paired with a dog friend, and we will continue to expand her social circle.
Fran’s time outdoors without proper medical care led to her contracting heartworm disease, but she has completed treatment at HLCR and is now heartworm negative. Fran may appear a little rough around the edges, but underneath that exterior lies a true diamond.
She has a heart full of love to give and is eager to form a deep bond with her forever family.
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