Neeko, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois who nearly starved to death last year, licked his new foster dad’s face this morning as the dog’s tail wagged from side to side.
After five months recuperating at an animal hospital in Aurora, Neeko, who weighed a measly 30 pounds when rescued, went home with his new parents today.
“We’re going to give him the love he needs,” said Neeko’s foster mom, Denise.
Denise and her husband, Brian, went through an application process, interviews and a home inspection to become Neeko’s foster parents.
Their last names were not disclosed because Neeko is evidence in a felony animal-abuse case.
Neeko was abandoned in a closed house last summer and survived near-starvation, in part, by eating the corpse of a companion dog, a white German shepherd, that starved to death in the Aurora home.
Before the incident, Neeko weighed up to 80 pounds.
Kristy Knecht, 29, has been charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. She has been ordered by a judge not to own or care for any animals. The case is ongoing.
Knecht bought Neeko for $100 in July from a soldier who was heading to Iraq for a tour of duty, according to authorities.
Dog feces were piled high in a utility room at Knecht’s home when Neeko was rescued, authorities said.
Neeko’s new family has another Belgian Malinois, 2-year-old Pika, who will keep Neeko company and aid his recovery.
Neeko now weighs about 63 pounds and shows no signs of his ordeal except a tendency to walk in circles when he’s startled or unsure about what’s going on around him.
“It’s like caged-lion syndrome,” said Dr. Barbara McLucas, a veterinarian at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital who has cared for Neeko.
McLucas described Neeko as a very friendly dog who is almost fully recovered and coping well.
“He does not appear to have any behavioral issues” associated with “his previous treatment,” McLucas said.
Staff at the Aurora Animal Shelter and the animal hospital said they have grown accustomed to Neeko’s company and that they are going to miss him. Still, everyone is happy that the dog is doing so well and has found a new home.
“He is always going to have a special place in our hearts,” McLucas said. “He is our little mascot.”
Neeko’s “will to live” is among the dog’s many positive traits that attracted the couple to come forward and help him, they said.
“The dog I saw in the (news) pictures just after his rescue — I hope no one ever has to see those again,” Denise said. “This is a totally different dog. This dog has life.”
The Aurora Animal Shelter is accepting donations to help pay past and future medical costs for Neeko.
Donations can be mailed to the shelter at 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora, CO 80011-1518, Attn. Veterinary Care.
If excess funds are donated, the extra proceeds will be used exclusively for medical care for other homeless or stray animals, Conway said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
