Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue reacted immediately to a report about a Weimaraner on death row at a high-kill shelter. When they arrived, however, they were horrified to see a dog with a massive tumor on his underbelly that he could hardly stand. (HV)

Gilbert Grape was his pseudonym. It’s unknown how he managed to survive as long as he did, or how he lasted so long without medical attention.

Gilbert Grape’s tale was shared with DogHeirs by Keri Pink, a media relations volunteer with Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue (TPWR) (TPWR). She tells how the wandering dog was rescued and how he is on his path to recovery.

Keri wrote “On a typical Arizona summer day when temps top 95-degrees, a male Weimaraner was picked up as a stray by the local animal control officers and transported to the county’s high-kill shelter. He was carrying a massive, diseased tumor, a growth so enormous he could not stand or move. The dog was put on the concrete floor of the shelter’s isolation section, where canines await their death due to disease or aggression.”

“The shelter’s protocol for strays is to store the animal without screening for 72 hours to enable an owner to claim it, but the county has a program that permits pre-approved, nationally recognized rescues to accept animals in under medical clearance.”

“Two committed shelter volunteers informed Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue, and we jumped in to aid.”

“After the gigantic grape-shaped tumor that hung from his chest, we dubbed him Gilbert Grape. Gilbert Grape was transported to a 24-hour speciality veterinary facility, where it was decided that he would need blood transfusions and intravenous catheter stabilization in order for their surgeon to try a life-saving operation to remove the tumor.”

The cost of diagnosis, stabilization, and surgery was expected to be roughly $7,000.” For rescue volunteers and veterinary personnel, sparing the dog’s life was a no-brainer option. However, there is a narrow line in rescue between what a private owner would be required to do in order to give life-saving therapy for their animal and what a dog entering rescue may and should be put through. Private pet owners make their own pet choices, while rescues depend on public assistance.

Gilbert’s health history and precise age were unclear, however his blood testing was largely normal (save for a high white blood cell count from the infected tumor); his estimated age was about seven.

“We saw a spark in Gilbert’s eyes and wanted to give him a shot, but we realized we’d need public backing.”

“As a consequence, we sought the counsel of a variety of veterinarians and surgeons in order to make the greatest option for the dog’s future.” We created a campaign and communicated the issue to our Facebook supporters, and funds began to stream in.”

Gilbert had a straightforward surgery and a speedy recovery in the ICU.” He was released from the hospital two days later and has bloomed since then.

A week after Gilbert’s surgery, the pathology report on his 12-pound tumor came, declaring that the growth was nothing more than a benign lipoma. Gilbert has been cancer-free for a long time.

At his re-check checkup, the staples in his chest from surgery were removed, and he got a clean bill of health. Gilbert, on the other hand, endured muscle loss and physiological strain as a consequence of compensatory while carrying the tumor for a year or more, according to veterinarians.

He has very little muscular mass across his body and is ataxic in his rear legs. He walks clumsily because his center of gravity is wrong.

Gilbert will shortly begin a physical therapy regimen that will involve manipulations, massages, and water treatment.” While he is still physically fragile, his charming, funny nature bursts through more and more to his foster father with each passing day.

“Gilbert’s tale reached a significant number of people, and some adoption applications were most likely approved as a consequence.” While he isn’t quite ready for adoption yet, he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Gilbert had been adopted and was thriving in a “very loving and dedicated family” a year after his rescue. Despite his hip dysplasia diagnosis, his family has a pool where he can swim for regular water treatment, and he has “get along brilliantly” with his new family.

Gilbert was rescued in 2024, according to the documents. Since then, Tickled Pink Weimaraner Rescue has continued to do wonderful work rescuing dogs with specific needs, those who are terminally sick, and others who, like Gilbert, are in dire need of help. For more information and to view the canines they have available for adoption, visit their website and Facebook page.