Cletus

Status: Adoptable | Adoption Survey
Date of Birth: January 1, 2014

Meet Cletus – A Handsome Hound with a Whole Lot of Love to Give! ❤️

Hey there, I’m Cletus! One of the most handsome hounds at Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary, and if you ask anyone here, they’ll tell you I give some pretty legendary cuddles! I’m a professional snuggle bug who loves nothing more than spending time with my favorite people. I can be a little shy when meeting someone new, but once I get comfortable and learn to trust you, my affectionate personality really shines. Trust me, I’m worth the wait!

I’m happiest in a quiet, laid-back environment where I can settle in at my own pace. I’d prefer to be the only pet in the home since I’m a little particular about my four-legged friends. Once I’ve built a bond with my family and feel confident in my surroundings, I’d be happy to enjoy a few adventures, too. I’m a perfect gentleman on car rides and would love exploring new places with my people. Of course, couch cuddles, leisurely walks, and movie nights are pretty hard to beat!

Cletus has been through quite a bit during his time at Mackenzie’s.

In March 2023, when Cletus was just 8 years old, our kennel manager noticed something wasn’t right. He appeared uncomfortable, was walking as though he was in pain, and had a tender abdomen. He was immediately rushed to BluePearl Emergency Veterinary Hospital, where veterinarians discovered he had a severe case of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat.

Bloat is a life-threatening emergency in which a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off normal blood flow and potentially causing severe damage to surrounding organs. Cletus required immediate emergency surgery. Unfortunately, part of his stomach wall had already begun to die, so the surgical team had to remove the damaged tissue. They also discovered an abnormal area and a small mass on his spleen, which led to the removal of his spleen for further evaluation.

Following surgery, Cletus needed intensive monitoring and supportive care. He experienced additional complications involving severe intestinal inflammation and a slowed gastrointestinal tract, requiring another emergency hospital stay. Thankfully, after several frightening days and a long road to recovery, Cletus was feeling much better and was back at Mackenzie’s receiving all the love and attention he deserved. His emergency medical expenses totaled $9,393.80.

More recently, on July 27, 2026, Cletus gave us another scare when he suddenly became ill and began experiencing neurological symptoms, including abnormal eye movements and significant difficulty maintaining his balance. He was once again rushed to the emergency hospital for evaluation and monitoring. Thankfully, he stabilized, and we’re happy to report that he has been doing well since returning to the sanctuary. His emergency medical expenses totaled $1,770.99. He has not experienced another episode like the one that sent him to the hospital.

Another medical scare came on October 7, 2026, when Cletus began feeling under the weather and developed a fever. He was quickly taken to the Animal Emergency Hospital (AEH), where veterinarians diagnosed him with pneumonia. Because he needed continued monitoring and treatment, he was kept overnight at the hospital.

Thankfully, we received encouraging news the following morning. Cletus’ fever had started to come down, and he was up and moving around again. By October 9, we were absolutely thrilled to bring our boy back home to Mackenzie’s! After receiving some much-needed care from the wonderful team at AEH in Byron Center, Cletus was back to being his food-motivated, hound-howling self. His emergency medical expenses totaled $4,779.71

We are so grateful for the compassionate veterinary teams who help our dogs through these unexpected emergencies and make them feel cared for along the way.

To everyone who donated toward Cletus’ medical care, thank you! Having a community that cares so deeply about our dogs makes an incredible difference, especially when unexpected emergencies arise.

Today, Cletus is enjoying the simple things that make life wonderful. You’ll find him snoozing in the sunshine, enjoying car rides with his friends, and soaking up every bit of love and attention our staff and volunteers can give him. After everything this sweet boy has been through, we’re grateful to see him comfortable, happy, and enjoying his days.

Cletus has touched so many hearts over the years, and we are incredibly thankful for everyone who has followed his journey and cheered him on along the way.

While Cletus continues to enjoy life at Mackenzie’s, his care comes with ongoing expenses, including routine veterinary care, medications, wellness needs, and the occasional unexpected medical emergency. Sponsorships help make it possible for us to provide everything he needs while ensuring he never goes without the comfort, compassion, and individualized care he deserves.

Can’t adopt? You can still make a difference by becoming Cletus’ sponsor!

Thank you for loving our handsome hound and helping us make sure his days are filled with everything he deserves: comfort, happiness, and lots and lots of cuddles. ❤️

Please sponsor Cletus today!