Arrow
Here is the complete story of Arrow taken from Amy's first contact with us and pieces of subsequent updates from his foster mom Kelly:
"I'm writing to tell you all about Arrow (as in broken arrow). It is assumed that Arrow was hit by a car sometime last Wednesday night. Someone thankfully called animal control, who then called us. His femur was badly fractured with his bone in literally 2 separate pieces. When I looked at the x-ray, I wished I hadn't. While animal control must hold most strays for 7 days, in the case of a severe injury requiring immediate medical attention they can transfer the dog to someone who will be responsible for treatment or euthanise to end the suffering.
They called us and we made the decision to take this guy on. (IF the owners had shown up, they would have been required to pay the vet fees and all other additional city fines, etc.) Predictably, the owners never showed and the handsome Arrow is now ours. He will have a pretty lengthy recuperation time but he is expected to make a full recovery & will be a *great* pet for someone when he's ready to go to his new home.
He's only about a year old and such a wonderful dog. Even lying in the vet's awaiting surgery & in what must have been extreme pain, he licked me and nudged my hand for petting. Needless to say, the vet staff all loved him too! His surgery to repair the leg went well and he now has 2 pins in his leg.
September
8, 2001
Boy am I pleased to report on Mr. Arrow (broken leg boy) Since Friday, after
Arrow gets the tickle out of his feet -- he's WALKING on all fours. He has a
slight hop and gets impatient when I make him go slow so he will use the leg
but he's using it and putting weight on it! (has both flexion and extension).
Tonight he
walked almost a quarter mile using the leg most of the time. He sure is a tired
boy now but is pleased as punch with himself too! Getting some use from that
leg and muscles is important in the healing process. If he continues on his
way he will be almost brand new in NO TIME!
September
20, 2001
Our Boy Arrow! Tonight, he went to PetSmart. Everyone in the store thought he
was beautiful! Everyone was interested in his leg and recovery! Everyone wished
they could have him! Arrow on the other hand.....liked the automatic doors after
a few times watching them. Arrow LOVED the birds, the fish were so so.....and
the Gerbils were WONDERFUL! He met a kid who was just a head taller than he,
and Arrow looked around the store for him later! And he walked, ON ALL FOURS,
ONE time around the store then came home to a nice bone!
I am really proud of him! He's just great! NOW, if I stop him from locking the door on me when I am outside with the others! He turns the deadbolt, as he watches us and hence we get locked out--TWICE so far this week! Now I just leave the back door unlocked! What a funny dog!
October
18, 2001
Ahhh What a boy Arrow is! He had surgery today to remove his leg pins and neuter.
He woke up easily...and I stayed with him till he knew where he was and that
I was close. HE'S BEEN HEALED! My vet brought him to the front, and he was walking
in absolutely no pain. He saw me and came right over and sat to be petted. Walked
out to the Tahoe....and tried to jump in the back by himself! Got
home, trotted in to see the other doberkids, then checked out his crate and
dinner dish. He's been sleeping ever since. He is doing GREAT! Gosh its good
to see him wagging his tail and not even an ounce of hesitation in his gait!
More to come!
