Rudy!

Rudy was bought as a show prospect puppy by Karen Klobuchar in Montana. Last February, when he was near the beginning of his show career, he was shot by a neighbor with a .270 caliber high-power rifle. The bullet blew off his right hock. Treatment at that time required reconstruction of the hock, including attachment of a steel plate to the remaining bone. The vet bills for the emergency treatment of the gunshot wound and the first reconstructive surgery totaled approximately $6000; the cost of the original emergency reconstructive surgery, about $4500, was required in advance. Karen borrowed that amount from Rudy’s breeder, and Karen is currently working 3 jobs to pay off the loan.

Because the original steel plate cracked, Rudy cannot bear weight on his leg and it has begun to atrophy. The sole alternative to replacement of the cracked steel plate is amputation of the leg, which both Karen and the vet feel should be considered only as a last resort. The orthopedic surgeon wishes to replace the original plate with a thinner yet stronger one, and states that Rudy’s post-surgical prognosis is excellent although he will likely always have a limp. The vet also states that this surgery normally costs approximately $3000, but has agreed to reduce the fee to between $1000 and $1500.

Rudy likely would have gone far in the ring, as he is Marienburg on both sides and Repo Man is his grandsire.

We're asking for your help to make sure this fine young Doberman makes a complete recovery. You can make a donation towards Rudy's recovery by using the PayPal button on this page, or you can mail us a donation. Also remember to check our Current Auctions page to see items we're auctioning off on eBay to raise money for Rudy and our other Dobes with special needs. As always, thank you very much for anything you can do!