'Cholla Charlie' finds forever home after close encounter with cactus

A 5-month-old Chihuahua dubbed "Cholla Charlie" has found his forever home after getting into a prickly situation in Surprise last month.

After the puppy was found covered head-to-toe in cactus barbs on July 22, veterinarians with the Arizona Humane Society successfully removed all of the cactus from his body.

After a full recovery, "Cholla Charlie" was put up for adoption on Wednesday at the humane society's adoption center in the Scottsdale PetSmart located near Miller and Camelback Roads. Nearly 40 people reportedly had called and made appointments to meet with the puppy.

One couple was chosen to be Charlie's new parents. Their last dog, Lucy, passed away at the age of 14.

"I always felt that Lucy had sent this [puppy] to us," said the chihuahua's new owner.

cholla charlie puppy

5-month-old "Cholla Charlie" had a run-in with a cactus last month in Surprise. The puppy has been on the mend at the Arizona Humane Society and is now ready to be adopted. (Arizona Humane Society)

The Arizona Humane Society says it treats over 11,000 pets at its animal trauma hospital each year.

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