LEWISTON - The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society is caring for a dog that was found nearly starved to death after its owner died away from home.

The dog was found at home last week by a man who had gone to clean out his dead brother's Lewiston-Auburn area residence. Shelter officials believe the gentle mixed-breed hound had been alone there for up to a month.

"Nobody knew he had a dog," shelter Executive Director Steve Dostie said.

The dog was dirty, painfully skinny and so weak he couldn't walk and could barely stand. He was rushed to the animal shelter by the man who found him. Shelter workers rushed him to a local veterinarian.

"He was just a skeleton with skin and fur," Dostie said.

The dog weighed 28 pounds, less than half of the 60 pounds he should have weighed. He was so sick, officials said, that he would have died within two or three days if he hadn't been found.

The dog spent 24 hours at an emergency veterinary clinic, getting nutrition intravenously because his body was too starved to accept solid food. He has since started eating every two or three hours and has gained 20 pounds in the past week.

Because no one knew the dog's real name, shelter workers have dubbed him Anthony, after St. Anthony, the patron saint of domestic animals.

Although they don't know exactly how Anthony survived on his own for up to a month, shelter officials believe he may have had some food at the beginning of his ordeal, perhaps from a supply of dog food. They also think he found water at some point because dogs can live only about 10 to 14 days without it.

The residence - shelter officials believe it was an apartment - was in a shambles when the dog was found. It's not unusual for confined, starving dogs to eat anything within reach, including Sheetrock from the walls, Dostie said.

Citing privacy concerns, shelter officials declined to identify the dog's owner, the name of the family member who found him, or the town where the dog was found.

Little is known about the dog itself. Shelter officials believe he's about 7 years old and a mix-breed that may be part plot hound, greyhound or boxer. They also believe Anthony, friendly and outgoing, was not abused before his owner died.

"I think he was cared for because of the way his behavior is," said shelter technician Patty Allison, scratching the dog behind the ears while he wagged his tail at a child visiting the shelter. "He's a good fellow."

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society routinely cares for animals that have been abandoned in the street or in empty homes, but it rarely gets animals that have survived alone after an owner's death. Anthony's story has made him a favorite with shelter workers and visitors, many of whom read about his background on the shelter's Web site or on a note pinned to his kennel. A few people have already shown interest in adopting Anthony. Others have donated money to help pay for his medical care.

The shelter has spent about $1,000 on his vet bills so far.

Anthony will be neutered and put up for adoption within the next couple of weeks.

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society can be contacted at 783-2311 or through www.gahumane.org.