ANAHEIM – Bruno loves to play hide-and-seek. He constantly begs for treats. And he runs into the nursery every time his 3-month-old “sister” starts to cry.

As far as police Officer R.J. Young and his wife, Rachel, are concerned, Bruno, a 7-year-old German shepherd, is a part of the family.

And like a family, the Youngs have kept a vigil at Bruno’s bedside since the Anaheim police dog was shot and wounded by a gang member during a police pursuit on Thursday.

“The last few days have been an incredible roller coaster of emotions,” Rachel Young said Sunday, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Obviously, I’m devastated over what happened to Bruno, but I’m so happy and relieved that my husband came home that day because he might not have,” she said. “The love and support we’ve been getting from people has been amazing, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

About $4,600 was collected Sunday to help defray future medical costs for Bruno during a fundraiser held at Sycamore Park by the Friends of the Anaheim Police Canine Association and Anaheim Hills Buzz, a Facebook page that disseminates neighborhood information.

Bruno’s handler, Officer Young, skipped the event so he could rest after clocking so many hours at the dog’s bedside. Even though the city is paying for Bruno’s medical bills, money raised will be set aside to pay expenses after Bruno retires.

An Anaheim police spokesman said a decision has not been made about Bruno’s future, but Rachel Young said it’s likely the dog will retire due to severe damage done to his jaw during the shooting.

“I’ve watched Bruno grow up, and his relationship with R.J. is amazing,” said Cheryl Timmons, co-founder and president of the nonprofit Friends of Anaheim Police Canine Association.

“These officers have families and the dogs are so much a part of their lives,” Timmons said. “When you think about balancing the cost of raising a family with surgeries for these police dogs, it can get pretty out of hand.”

For now, Bruno is resting at Yorba Linda Regional Animal Hospital, where he underwent surgery shortly after getting shot by 21-year-old Robert Moreno Jr. during a foot pursuit in the 1100 block of Mayfair Avenue. Moreno, a known gang member who fired shots at an Orange County probation officer, was then fatally shot by at least one police officer.

Bruno started walking and going to the bathroom on his own for the first time Sunday, said Steve Dunbar, the veterinarian who owns the animal hospital.

Bruno had a feeding tube removed Saturday and was hand-fed meatballs made of kangaroo meat and oatmeal. The odd mixture, Dunbar said, is due to Bruno’s allergy to beef products and having a jaw too sore to chew kibble.

With all the progress, Dunbar said Bruno could go home as soon as next week.

“He’s healing phenomenally and has such a great spirit, considering all that he’s been through,” Dunbar said. “Provided any infections are kept under control, he should come out of this really well.”