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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- His owners didn't want him but a Las Vegas dog is winning the hearts of a lot of people right now. Gus Gus was so overweight he couldn't walk. But the woman who rescued him and the people who are rehabilitating him are making Las Vegas a better place to live.

Candace Christian saved Gus Gus when his owners abandoned him at a local vet's office.  "I see a great little guy in there. A great dog. His personality has come out so much."

Candace is a vet tech assistant at the hospital where Gus Gus was left and since she was still grieving the loss of her pet, Gus Gus offered her comfort and Candice made up her mind to save him.  But she says, "I knew that it was going to be a lot of work."

Gus Gus needs knee surgery but doctors say he won't survive the surgery until he slims down. So, he goes to the Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center for bi-weekly physical therapy. He's dropped 10 pounds and 3 1/2 inches so far but has a long way to go.

Dr. Christopher Horstman is a surgical veterinarian.  He said, "Candace, let's try rehab for a month and see what he can do. Because if I can't get him to move his legs, it isn't going to do any good to do surgery to fix his legs."

Candace says Gus Gus hung his head when the two first met. He was depressed. Now, he's enjoying a better quality of life and improving the quality of Candace's life too.  "For some reason, i just kind of took to him when i saw him, and we actually kind of help each other, you know?"

Candice is raising money for his medical expenses through a website called Fund A Pet Miracle. There, you can see videos of Gus Gus when Candice first got him, and you can donate to help pay for his treatment.

That website only allows pet owners to raise money for 3 months and THIS is the last week for Gus Gus.