Puppy found in Bentleyville with metal rod in head loving life
Julie LaSalvia with Kai, and Dino with Kona, at their home in North Strabane Township.
Dino and Julie LaSalvia play with Kai and Kona in their backyard.
Kona, left, and Kai play with a Frisbee in their owners’ home in North Strabane Township.
Kona, left, and Kai engage in a game of tug-of war.
Dino LaSalvia prepares to toss a Frisbee to Kai and Kona.
The pup sprints across the lush green lawn in the backyard of his new home, a stuffed toy trailing behind as he is chased by his bigger brother.
The 6-month-old beagle-terrier mix, found abandoned Feb. 3 in Bentleyville with a metal rod protruding from his head, is living the life of Riley with a North Strabane Township couple and their 7-year-old American bulldog. The two canine companions enjoy playing tug-of-war with toys and chasing each other in a fenced backyard.
Kai Ola Kai, formerly known as “Puppy,” “Justice” and “Franky,” has loving pup parents in Dino and Julie LaSalvia, and a new canine brother in Kona, himself a rescue from Greene County Humane Society.
After he was found Feb. 3 in Bentleyville, the puppy was taken to University Veterinary Specialists in McMurray, where veterinarians successully removed the rod. Doctors initially were concerned that his vision may have been affected, but it was not. Donations for the dog’s treatment poured into the UVS Cares Foundation, including more than $1,300 raised by the Bentworth Leo Club.
The puppy abuse case initially was investigated by Washington County Humane Society’s humane police officer. When it was determined the injury occurred in Ohio, the county’s humane officer turned over his findings to officials there. The status of the investigation is not known.
Dino was so touched by the pup’s story he not only donated money for his care, but also applied to adopt the animal.
“Julie had no idea I put in the application,” Dino said.
Julie said she wanted a second dog, but a small one, and was trying to convince her husband.
The LaSalvias were on vacation in Hawaii when they learned they had been selected from about 100 applicants to adopt the puppy.
“It has been a whirlwind,” Julie said.
The couple returned from vacation, puppy-proofed their house, and picked up Kai March 19. After the LaSalvias did some research on the Hawaiian word for survivor, they came up with his name.
Dino, a retired state police corporal, works as a school resource officer for Burgettstown School District. Julie, who works in Lawrence as a customer service associate-team leader at Equipment and Controls Inc., had to go back to work the next day.
While Julie can go home at lunchtime to let Kai and Kona out, she said Kai did not take kindly to being placed in a crate.
“We put up cameras so we can see what they are up to,” Dino said of the dogs.
The LaSalvias send Kai a few times a week to Fuzzy Paws Doggie Day Care in North Strabane.
“They really have helped with his socialization,” Dino said. “They also let us know what toys he likes. He loved one type of Frisbee. He also decided he likes bubbles after he figured out they were not going to hurt him.”
“Kona misses him when he is not here,” Julie said. “Sometimes when I leave with Kai in the morning, Kona tries to go with us.”
The day care also has cameras, so the LaSalvias can keep an eye on their youngest fur baby while he is there.
With school out for the summer, Dino plans to work with Kai and train him.
The LaSalvias are grateful to the humane society, University Veterinary Specialists, Fuzzy Paws and Pleasant Valley Veterinary for helping take such good care of him. Dino said when Kai visits Pleasant Valley, he is treated like a celebrity.
There is no question that the LaSalvias love their two dogs. While days are for playing, nights are for snuggling with the couple in bed.
“I vowed not to have a dog in bed,” Dino said. “But after what he’s been through, he’s earned it.”
Dino said Kai is really a good dog.
“He is the most loving dog and just loves life,” he said.
“I can’t fathom why anyone would abuse him,” Julie said, agreeing with her husband. “He is just so loving. You would never know anything bad happened to him.”
“We are just happy to have him,” Dino said. “He has a good life here.”
Interested in following Kai’s progress and antics? Kai Ola Kai has a Facebook page with about 300 followers.