Chance, the dog found severely injured and dehydrated in July near Terrebonne after being dragged behind a vehicle, will soon be getting his second chance for a family.

Chris Bauersfeld, director of BrightSide Animal Shelter in Redmond, said she thinks Chance will be ready for adoption as early as the end of this month.

“I think that if we can find the right family for him he’ll be in his new home by Christmas,” Bauersfeld said. “We want to get him with the right family so he works with that family and they are joyful with him.”

Chance’s wounds are healing very well. He’s regaining strength and building muscle mass. He goes on daily walks and was strong enough to make a several-hour hike with Bauersfeld and several other dogs last week.

“We’re down to about a teaspoon-sized area on his shoulder that hasn’t closed up yet,” she said. “The doctor is waiting for that to heal before we can let him go.”

There were a few times when Bauersfeld and the staff at BrightSide didn’t know if Chance was going to make it. When he first arrived in the summer, Dr. Cheryl Byrd, who has performed all surgeries and treatments on Chance, thought he might need to be euthanized because of his extensive injuries. During one procedure, his heart stopped and Byrd had to really work to bring him back.

“He was a complete mess,” Byrd said.

Byrd said she’s seen dogs who have been dragged before, but never one with such extensive injuries. Byrd estimates at least 40 percent of Chance’s skin was affected.

Chance suffered for several days, his skin abraded, toenails ground down to nothing from trying to grip the road. He was severely dehydrated and near death when found on the side of Smith Rock Road.

His rescuers brought him to BrightSide Animal Shelter in Redmond, where Byrd worked on him for several hours, cleaning his wounds, removing skin that couldn’t be saved and bandaging him up.

For the first several weeks, Chance was on a lot of pain medication. He needed his bandages changed often. All four of his paws were fully bandaged and he wasn’t able to walk.

Compared to those days, Chance is barely recognizable. In fact, the doctor has decided to leave the bandages off his last wound, Bauersfeld said.

“He knows how to open the door to my office and he’ll break himself out to come greet people,” she said. “He’s one of the most balanced dogs I know; he’s great with meeting other dogs, cats and especially people.”

Chance has been going home with Bauersfeld every night and coming back to BrightSide with her during the workday.

“The ideal home for Chance is one where he’ll have the opportunity to either go to work with someone or at least be able to go out and meet people,” she said.

Dog trainer Judy Anderson, who works with animals brought to BrightSide, said Chance will do best with a family who can be assertive with him, but said he’s great with other dogs and cats.

“He’s been allowed to do a lot of things because of his injuries, and he’ll need someone who can work with him on obedience,” she said. “But he is the quintessential people dog and gets along with everyone.”

—Reporter: 541-383-0376,

sking@bendbulletin.com

Watch a video of Chance interacting with people and other animals: bendbulletin.com/chanceupdate