METHUEN — Lefty, a Boston terrier puppy, made it out of a home in Lawrence and away from an owner who couldn't afford veterinary care.

The dog then had a close call when his right eye ruptured, forcing veterinarians to remove it. But the 8-week-old pup, his four siblings and his mother are now doing well.

"I think they're some of the nicest puppies that I've met, and the parents are so sweet," said Heather Robertson, community outreach coordinator for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm.

Lawrence Animal Control Officer David Parsons found Lefty's mother, Sasha, wandering around Haverhill and Ames streets about 3 p.m. on Dec. 1. The officer took the "very skinny" canine to the MSPCA, where the staff determined she recently gave birth, according to Parsons' report.

The dog was not licensed. Parsons received a call the next day from a Columbus Avenue man saying he lost a Boston terrier named Sasha. Parsons went to the man's home and saw five puppies on the floor — including Lefty — and the 1-year-old father, Gizmo, tied to a door.

Parsons noticed the puppies were underweight and needed to be treated for worms, and Lefty had an eye injury. Gizmo had a rectal problem causing him pain, Parsons' report said.

Parsons told the owner that the dogs needed medical treatment, and the man said he couldn't afford it and he was waiting to sell some of the puppies before he took them to a veterinarian. Parsons explained that Lawrence does not give out breeder or kennel licenses, and the man agreed to give up the dogs.

The purebreds were taken to the MSPCA and treated for various ailments, including severe eye infections, respiratory disease, and intestinal parasites.

MSPCA staff placed the puppies in foster care, but Lefty's luck turned sour when his right eye ruptured on Sunday, Jan. 4. His host family rushed him to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston for emergency surgery, where doctors removed his eye and saved his life, the MSPCA said.

Once they have recuperated in foster care, Lefty and the other puppies and mother have adoptive families awaiting them, but the father still needs a home.

Gizmo must undergo surgery to repair damage resulting from a severe parasite infestation. He will recover in foster care before being put up for adoption.

The dogs' surgeries and treatment financially strained the MSPCA, which functions solely on donations. People who want to give money can log on to mspca.org/lefty, or call 978-687-7453, ext. 6101, the MSPCA said.

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