Okay, just got off the phone with my friend, who does rescue work (a diff. friend, not the one that works at my vet). She said if push comes to shove, SHE will take him. YES!! She said she won't have him neutered or anything in his old age (the owner said he is unneutered, and has bad teeth), and will just do the monthly antibiotics on his teeth, unless they are so abcessed, then she will do the dental.
I'm excited now, this little pupper may have a chance at a good ending! We're (the owner and I) going to get back in touch on Sunday, because she is going out of town this weekend. And we'll meet in Baton Rouge sometime early next week, either Mon. or Tues. for her to hand him over to me. Then he'll go to my friend.
Fingers crossed that all this works out as planned!