While recovering from knee replacement surgery, Leigh S., who lives in a beach community on Long Island, New York, would binge-watch television to pass the time.
“One Sunday in April, I noticed every other commercial was about the ASPCA, so I went online and applied to adopt a dog.”
She may seem impulsive, but Leigh is simply a quick decisionmaker. She had purchased a new car the day before — “the first one I saw,” she says — and several years ago, bought a new house on the spot.
When she received a phone call from Cindy Dong, who was then on the ASPCA Admissions and Matchmaking team, Leigh told her she was looking for a cuddly, low-energy dog.
“I immediately suggested she meet Potato, a brown-and-white, 4-year-old pit bull,” Cindy says.
Hayden and Leigh with Potato on adoption day.
“I’m 61, and Potato’s energy level seemed good for me,” says Leigh, a retired third-grade teacher who visited the ASPCA that Monday — the day after seeing the ASPCA TV spots —with her son, Hayden. They fell in love and adopted Potato that day.
A Life-Threatening Injury
Potato has come a long way since being discovered tied to a street sign on April 23, 2024, in the Bronx. Bystanders called the NYPD, and responding officers realized Potato was severely injured. They transported him to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC), an emergency, 24-hour facility and ASPCA partner hospital.
A medical examination revealed a gaping, chronic wound partially encircling his neck, likely caused by an overly tight collar. A CT scan affirmed the wound had caused secondary soft tissue swelling of his neck and face, as well as permanent injury to the jugular veins, which transport blood from the brain to the heart.
Potato was also bleeding from the corners of his mouth and suffered from dehydration, dental disease, dirty hair covered in feces, scabs on his heels and scrotum, and a hoarse bark likely caused by the extensive tissue damage in his neck.
The AMC team performed advanced imaging and surgery on Potato’s neck, and on April 26, he was transferred to the ASPCA for continued medical and surgical care.
Potato shortly after being transported from AMC to the ASPCA.
A Remarkable Recovery
“Potato is one of the worst cases of neck injuries I’ve seen,” says Dr. Jasmine Bruno, an ASPCA forensic veterinarian who examined him. “His body had to slowly repair itself from the extensive injuries caused by the tight object around his neck, which over time acted as a ligature. To reduce the severe swelling that resulted from his blocked jugular veins, new blood vessels needed to develop over time.”
Two views of Potato’s neck wound.
The ASPCA Animal Hospital resumed treatment, which included intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, pain medications, daily wound cleanings, and frequent bandage changes under sedation.
After Potato’s neck wound was re-evaluated, warm compression therapy treatments were begun. He transitioned to oral medications and moved to the ASPCA’s Animal Recovery Center, where he continued receiving daily bandage changes. Dr. Niveda Ponmudi surgically closed and sutured his wound, and he was neutered.
Potato’s neck wound in various stages of healing.
“We don’t know his previous circumstances, but Potato’s condition didn’t happen overnight,” says Dr. Bruno. “A collar or ligature left around the neck can become too tight if not adjusted as an animal continues to grow. This can lead to constant pressure, inflammation, infection and tissue destruction. But the body’s ability to heal is remarkable.”
Potato also had an emaciated body condition. When he arrived at the ASPCA, he weighed only 43.6 lbs.
Potato upon intake at the ASPCA, left, and after gaining more than 12 lbs.
“His diet consisted of a specific refeeding protocol to avoid illness that can be caused by excessive caloric intake following a prolonged period of malnutrition,” says Dr. Bruno.
By June 14, Potato had reached a healthy body weight of 55.7 lbs.
Fixated on Food
Understandably, Potato had a heightened focus on anything that smelled remotely of food.
“We cleared our terrace and hallways of garbage bins and kept treats out of reach,” says Sara Eisenberg, a behavior associate at the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center. “Food usually had to be tossed to him, because he would take it so quickly. We worked with him until he learned to take food gently.”
Potato with Dana Bulger, an ASPCA hospital veterinary assistant.
Sara also worked with Potato on appropriate dog-on-dog greetings.
“Every time he saw a dog, inside or outside, I’d reward him with treats,” says Sara. “Soon, we did quick one-to-two-second greetings with dogs; I’d reward him again when he disengaged and returned to me. He caught on more quickly than any other dog I’ve trained. Eventually, he could co-exist off-leash with another dog in the room.”
As Potato gained weight, he became more relaxed and social around other dogs.
“He showed more playful and social behavior with people, too, because he wasn’t spending all his time and energy looking for food,” says Sara. “He flourished as he got plumper.”
Nothing but Good
Today, Potato is called Papi, but his love of food has not changed.
“He’s the most well-behaved and intelligent canine child I’ve ever had,” says Leigh. “He waits to be invited onto my bed, like he knows I need to move my recovering leg out of the way before he climbs up.”
Leigh says her quick decision to adopt Papi was far from impulsive. Rather, it was heartfelt.
“Papi’s been nothing but good and appreciative,” she says. “He’s a blessing to me and my son’s daily life. We love him.”
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