Our latest rescue foster dog, another amputee.

[AZjeff]

Shorty came to United Animal Friends rescue from a New Mexico Rez with his right hind leg partially missing and he also tested for a tick born blood illness. He's a healthy stout happy guy, (likely cattle dog and rottie,) so our vet recommended remove the rest of the useless leg to give him his best life of mobility and reduce the risk of other problems with his left leg and back. Dogs with a partial leg swing it to counterbalance as they walk and run and it uses energy and puts more stress on the remaining leg. He had the operation yesterday and while he was under a broken tooth was extracted and he lost his ability to reproduce. Overall a really tough day, he went for a ride and woke up hurting from front to back. We picked him up at 3:30 and he was in and out until around 9 when he got up and decided it was time to go pee. It's hard to look at but in a month when his fur is growing back and the staples are out and the incision has flattened down it's not so bad. We helped a female recover from the same operation 2 summers ago and she recovered 100%.

This photo was this morning, he was lying in front of the slider wagging his stubby tail waiting for his breakfast. Helping these dogs recover isn't for everyone but we find it really rewarding to help them get well and see them off to their best life.

 

[CKN]

You are one great dude for doing this!

 

[spasm3]

You are a champ! So great you help dogs like this!

 

[JeffKeryk]

Shorty is amazing. So is his owner. For that, he is a lucky doggie. Well done AZ.
I know that surgery ain't cheap, either.

 

[oilboy123]

Yes pretty rough to wake to that. But it sounds like he will have a great life with you.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Fostering ? It would be difficult, to let go. We all and the doggy thank you.

 

[slo town]

Good man @AZjeff! Sue and I have had 5 rescue canines (out of 9 in total). Rescue dogs know you got them out of a bind and are forever grateful.

Outstanding @AZjeff!

Scott

 

[RoadDukie]

@AZjeff
Please keep us updated on Shorty's progress. I'd also love a pic once he's over the trauma of surgery. The poor guy has been through a lot today.
Thanks for looking out for the little guy.

 

[AZjeff]

We're going to have him for a month until he's healed up and can be adopted, then another volunteer foster will take him until he gets a home. We have 3 dogs now including Penny the dog with medical problems that we got to foster last February. It turned out to be meningitis and was a really rough deal getting her through it and we were too invested and kept her. 3 is enough, Shorty is here to get well. It's hard to see them go but that's part of it. He's number 6 foster dog.

 

[Wheel]

Good luck Shorty ! You've found some good humans !

 

[Ursatdx]

Thanks for what you do.

 

[crashz]

Get well soon Shorty! Jeff- you guys are amazing!

 

[joekingcorvette]

Great job! That looks like a very nice dog.

 

[carthusiast]

Shorty came to United Animal Friends rescue from a New Mexico Rez with his right hind leg partially missing and he also tested for a tick born blood illness. He's a healthy stout happy guy, (likely cattle dog and rottie,) so our vet recommended remove the rest of the useless leg to give him his best life of mobility and reduce the risk of other problems with his left leg and back. Dogs with a partial leg swing it to counterbalance as they walk and run and it uses energy and puts more stress on the remaining leg. He had the operation yesterday and while he was under a broken tooth was extracted and he lost his ability to reproduce. Overall a really tough day, he went for a ride and woke up hurting from front to back. We picked him up at 3:30 and he was in and out until around 9 when he got up and decided it was time to go pee. It's hard to look at but in a month when his fur is growing back and the staples are out and the incision has flattened down it's not so bad. We helped a female recover from the same operation 2 summers ago and she recovered 100%.

This photo was this morning, he was lying in front of the slider wagging his stubby tail waiting for his breakfast. Helping these dogs recover isn't for everyone but we find it really rewarding to help them get well and see them off to their best life.
View attachment 322130

Good job, man! That is a nice thing to do

 

[alarmguy]

@AZjeff
You're an amazingly good person for doing this. A very lucky dog he is.
This was our dog at age 12 when he had to have both eyes removed. He was the most amazing dog in his recovery, he taught me so much about moving on from challenges in life. He lived another 3 years to the age of 15. Once all his fur grew back no one even knew he was blind until we told them. NOT kidding. He lived a perfectly normal happy life. I have endless videos of him chasing balls when we threw them, they had bells in them and he would follow the sound with dead on precision. Up and down stairs and around the house all day, daily walks he would center himself on the sidewalks of the community and even knew where we crossed the street to go back home. Id give anything to have him back in our lives. RIP ...

6 weeks later playing happy in our yard. Family members could not believe it, thought my wife and I were doing the wrong thing by not putting him down.

Keeping warm in the winter by the fireplace

Boating on Lake Murray SC

My wife staying nearby he would jump off the dog raft and follow the sound of my voice to the swim platform of the boat.

Working with this dog was of the most rewarding things in my life. I cant explain it but I know you know. Over a year later, I still miss him so much.

 

[gfh77665]

That's a remarkable story. I remember you sharing it a few years ago.

 

[alarmguy]

That's a remarkable story. I remember you sharing it a few years ago.

I know I’m a guy you’re not supposed to say this? but I still get tears in my eyes when I look at his photos and talk about him.
Both my wife and I admire @AZjeff for doing what they do. I honestly think after our experience that dogs can overcome challenges better than humans. I guess from the Animal Kingdom they know how to adapt and failure is not in the vocabulary. I do want to understand of course instances where an animal may suffer and he is better off, just like a human resting in peace

He was remarkable, but I think given the chance many dogs are. We have been told by many veterinarians who were just as amazed by him that some dogs don’t handle complete blindness well.

It was actually an animal ophthalmologist, who assured us this type of breed will do well and we should move forward, giving him a chance. Best decision of our lives and for him as well.

 

[AZjeff]

It's said that 80% of a dog's sensory experience is smell driven so it might not be so incredible that your guy got along so well. An amazing story.

 

[Dave Hess]

Keep up the great job with your rescue dogs.

 

[fat biker]

My late wife and I fostered 55 dogs and puppies, a handful with special needs.
I would like to reassure everyone that dogs missing limbs, missing an eye, blind makes little difference, they get through life just fine.
Please spay and neuter your pets.