Dog named Magic was found shot in the head. Now the ‘sweet boy’ is adopted months later

Better days are ahead for a German shepherd who was discovered in January with a gunshot wound in the head.

Seven months after undergoing surgeries and beginning his rehab, the dog named Magic had been adopted into a new home, the Kentucky Humane Society said.

“Now Magic can finally put his past behind him,” the humane society said.

Magic, who was still a puppy when he was found shot, remained in “great spirits” as he was treated by vets at Louisville Metro Animal Services.

“He’s simply the sweetest boy, even after the cruelty of being shot,” the animal services group said.

The humane society said the bullet that injured Magic had “entered above his eye, went through his nasal cavity, and passed through his tongue — before breaking his lower jaw.” It’s believed he was looking up at his abuser when he was shot.

A humane society staff member eventually took Magic in as a foster dog, helping the German shepherd recover both emotionally and physically.

“Magic showed us that his loving, attentive personality has no bounds, despite all that he’s suffered at the hands of humans,” the humane society said. “He greets friends and strangers alike with kisses, and happily trots around with his favorite toys all day long. Finally, Magic feels like a normal dog again!”

When it was time for Magic to be adopted, Louisville teacher Melanie Gilzene reached out to the humane society to ask about their foster-to-adopt program, Good Morning America reported. The process allows potential parents to spend two weeks with the dog before finalizing the adoption.

“I always have a heart for animals and this one particularly, he just deserves a great life and I know that I can give him that so I rushed to call them quickly to get this foster thing going,” Gilzene said.

Gilzene and her family “fell in love” with Magic, the humane society said. His adoption was finalized Thursday, Aug. 10.

Magic’s new mom told Good Morning America her family knew after one day they would be keeping the dog.

Magic has “settled in beautifully” into his new home, Andrea Mattingly, who works at the Kentucky Humane Society, told Newsweek.

“While this goodbye was bittersweet to say the least, we are honored to have played a part in Magic’s awe-inspiring story,” the organization commented in a Facebook post as it said farewell to the “sweet boy.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Dog named Magic was found shot in the head. Now the ‘sweet boy’ is adopted months later."