He was emaciated, shivering and bearing the weight of a heavy collar and chain when the BC SPCA animal protection officer saw him. Jace was in critical distress and fearing he would not survive the night in the freezing temperatures, the officer wasted no time in getting him off the property and to an animal hospital.
Jace was suffering from muscle loss, limited vision and had a thin irritated coat, plus pressure sores on his pelvis and crusty ear tips. He was a sweet, trusting soul, and although he came into the BC SPCA animal centre scared and disoriented, he looked to staff for support and encouragement from day one. Under a veterinarian’s supervision, he was started on a meal plan and an exercise plan to help him gain weight and build muscle.
“There was a real concern when it took longer than we had hoped for Jace to gain weight,” says Bonnie Pequin, manager of the BC SPCA Nanaimo animal centre. “But he began to make real progress and was soon on our adoption site. We were so thrilled when Jan contacted us wanting to give Jace the amazing home he deserved.”
“I just knew Jace was meant to be with me,” says Jan. “I was willing to do whatever it took to bring him home and give him a beautiful life.”
Jan lost her Cane Corso in November of 2023. “It was such a huge loss,” says Jan. “We were side by side for 10 years. Every dog parent knows how tough it is to say goodbye and what a hole it leaves in your life.”
After taking some time to grieve and reflect, Jan decided she had to bring a dog back into her life. “I kept checking the BC SPCA’s website, looking at puppies and other dogs who were fortunate to find homes quickly. Then one day, when I was heading back to the adoption page, I came across Jace’s story. He looked like a dog who was near death,” says Jan. “I shut down my computer, but I couldn’t get Jace out of my mind. You hear so many awful stories and so often you feel powerless to help. But this was a case where I could. I know dogs, I know how to take care of dogs, the best food to feed them and the nutrition they need. I sent in an application and was soon heading to the Nanaimo animal centre to pick him up.”
The whole BC SPCA team gathered around the car to say goodbye to Jace, who Jan renamed Archie. “They had all fallen madly in love and were so excited to see him go to his forever home.” Understandably, Archie was a little nervous when he first got into the car, but he was curious and began to relax as they continued the drive to bring him home. “He did so well,” says Jan.
Jan adds that Archie settled in quickly. “He loves to fall asleep near the fireplace. He already knows when the fire goes out it is time to go to bed and he snuggles into his giant bed in my room. He is so relaxed. I hear him snoring throughout the night.”
Jan says one of her biggest challenges has been limiting the number of friends and family who want to meet Archie. “They all know his story and wanted to meet him to shower him with love,” she says. “They have brought him so many toys – he just soaks up all the affection they give.”
Archie is house trained and is getting used to walking with a harness and leash. “We are working on it,” says Jan. “Right now, during walks, he pulls as hard as he can into the bushes and ditches around my home, but we have a plan to help him be a little more relaxed.”
Jan adds that Archie is a cuddler. “He loves to have his ears rubbed and loves a pat on his bum,” she says. Not surprisingly, Archie is highly food driven, yet he is still well behaved, even when his meals are being prepared. “He sits right beside me when I make him his breakfast, lunch and dinner, but when I give him the ‘out of the kitchen’ command he leaves, he sits right at the line where the kitchen flooring begins, but he does leave. He is so smart.”
Archie will be spending many more nights by the fireplace, snuggled and comfy in his forever home. “I just want to give him the life he has always deserved. That every dog deserves,” says Jan. “He has already brought so much love and laughter back into my home.”
BC SPCA seizes emaciated dog chained outside in freezing temperatures
Original story: February 21, 2025
A BC SPCA animal protection officer has seized a skeletal mastiff mix named Jace by BC SPCA staff, who met the criteria for critical distress from a property in Nanaimo.
“This is a truly heartbreaking case,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA. “This poor emaciated dog was found on a property without any visible food or water. Jace was barely able to walk, limping and shivering in the cold. He was suffering from fur loss and was burdened by a heavy chain. His only shelter was a dilapidated doghouse that was wet inside and lacked any bedding. The animal protection officer was concerned Jace may not survive the night given the subzero temperatures.”
Jace was immediately taken to an animal hospital. It was noted Jace was suffering from muscle loss, limited vision and had a thin irritated coat, as well as pressure sores on his pelvis and crusty ear tips. Jace will undergo a full dental examination when he is under general anesthesia for his neutering.
Drever reports that when Jace came into the animal centre, he was scared and disorientated due to his limited vision but very trusting. “He was looking to the staff for support and encouragement.” Under a veterinarian’s supervision, Jace is being fed two meals a day and is slowly gaining weight with an exercise plan helping him build muscle.
Drever adds staff were unsure if Jace knew any commands, but on the first day, he walked right up to them and sat perfectly. “He has a very handsome ‘sit’ that comes along with big puppy dog eyes,” Drever says. “It’s impossible to not give him a treat.” He also has a ridiculously cute ‘woof’ that he only makes when he is in his kennel and can hear his breakfast and dinner being prepared.
Jace will be available for adoption once the veterinarian determines he has gained enough weight and has recovered from his neuter surgery.