A package thief who stole Christmas gifts in Fontana almost was responsible for the death of Sparky \u2014 a bouncy and adorable dog who was hit by a car and lost for two days after the thief failed to close the gate behind him.<\/p>\n
Now, because of the severity of his injuries, Sparky must have a leg amputated.<\/p>\n
Luckily, the 2\u00bd-year-old Australian blue heeler, or cattle dog, the same breed as Bluey in the eponymous hit TV show, has not lost his signature sparkle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in such good spirits now that he\u2019s home,\u201d said his owner, David Lopez. \u201cHe\u2019s limping around with the cast on his leg.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sparky and Lopez\u2019s second dog, a golden retriever named Blazer, both went missing Dec. 3 shortly after the porch pirate was captured on a Ring camera leaving the yard with the gate wide open.<\/p>\n
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But although Blazer returned home that night, his best friend, Sparky, was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy golden retriever was so depressed at that time,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cHe was just like sitting outside, not barking at anybody or playing fetch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lopez\u2019s family searched for Sparky for nearly two days to no avail. That was until a sixth sense drew Lopez back to a neighbor\u2019s home that he already checked. He knocked again and although the neighbor said she hadn\u2019t seen Sparky, she agreed to let Lopez look in her yard.<\/p>\n
As he walked around yelling Sparky\u2019s name, Lopez heard a rustling behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI took a deep breath and, when I looked back again, I saw him pop out of the bushes,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was just a jaw-dropping moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Lopez was overjoyed to find Sparky alive, he was horrified at his pup\u2019s condition. Sparky had a deep, severe cut from his hip down to his paw and barely could limp over to Lopez. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as I saw that, I put my hands on my head in shock,\u201d he said. \u201cI picked him up off the floor, cradled him in my arms, and we drove him to the animal hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Veterinarians believe Sparky was struck by a car and dragged down the asphalt street, tearing ligaments and leaving him with a bone-deep wound \u2014 and his family with significant medical bills.<\/p>\n