Chase is a real sweetheart! He's listed as a 3-year-old shepherd mix, but we bet his three years have seemed much longer to him.

For starters, his left front leg has been amputated (but healed nicely, as evidenced by his photos here) and he has his fair share of scars. Sadly, that's just the start.

He arrived at a county shelter after his owner's arrest. A friend of the owner claimed the dog after the arrest, but then inexplicably dropped him back at the owner's vacant home, uncared for and alone. He was found there in early October and brought to the shelter -- where he stayed until just after Christmas.

Despite his bad luck, he has remained happy and good natured!

Although he gets along with everyone, shelter staffers think he might prefer a home where he can be the only dog, since he's at a bit of a disadvantage with his four-limbed counterparts. Other dogs tend to bully him, push him out of the way and take his food, which makes him a little bit frustrated. We think he would enjoy a playful female dog or another non-dominate, submissive male.