FEATURED
RESCUE
Lisa's
story: Because the unexpected challenges are the most special
ones…
 On
Saturday December 1st, I waited in the cold for the transport
to arrive in Atlanta from a horrible puppy mill. The puppies
arriving included the newest addition to the Labrador Friends
family, a 10 week old chocolate lab. I picked her up and she
was
very cold and scared. The plan was for her to stay at my house
a few days and then go into a new home that was already waiting
for her. As soon as I arrived home I knew something was very
wrong. She was skin and bones, she could barely walk, she
had diarrhea and every time I tried to feed her she regurgitated
all her food. For two days she slept with her head on my chest.
My dogs were not thrilled about this little interloper invading
their special place next to me but they played along. She
would get tired very easily but she was still smiling, playing,
and snuggling. Her bad legs did not stop her from running,
playing, and following me everywhere.
On
Monday I drove her to our vet. She was diagnosed with Giardia,
Pneumonia, Megaesophagus, and some major orthopedic problems
that prevent her from walking properly. How can a 10 week
old puppy have all these serious problems at once?! Unfortunately,
all this is probably due to bad breeding, lack of exercise,
bad food, malnutrition due to the Megaesophagus, and a very
small and dark cage.
The vet called us immediately saying that the regurgitation
from the Megaesophagus had caused her to have Aspiration Pneumonia
which was pretty severe by now. He told us that if we did
not do anything she would die within a few days. The treatment
for Megaesophagus is not easy nor has a clear diagnosis and
the Pneumonia was pretty bad already. Did we have any choice?
All we had to do was look into those green eyes to know that
there was only one possible recourse, no matter the cost.
The plan was clear. Put her on strong antibiotics for the
Pneumonia and as soon as she was strong enough, start by trying
to fix the Megaesophagus. If she made it through this first
operation, then we would worry about her legs. Three days
later the vet opened her up and performed the operation. He
clearly told us the chances were very high she would not make
it so that day we were all very worried.
As
it turns out she survived her first challenge with flying
colors. The vet is very pleased with the result and her
recovery as it went faster than expected. She is no longer
regurgitating and she is  almost
over her Pneumonia. She is finally putting some meat on those
little bones and has grown bigger. She is eating on her own
(mushy food, but she is eating on her own!) and she is not
regurgitating, probably for the first time in her life. They
are feeding her on elevated bowls, simply placed on top of
a box, but nothing more than that. She is almost over the
bad Pneumonia and you can tell! She is a wiggly happy puppy,
much more active than when she was at my house those first
3 days. As you can see she could not stay  still
long enough for me to take a picture. Only when she is on
your lap she melts and stays still (well, chewing my sweater
of course) She absolutely loves people and
she was ready to say hi and wag her little tail at 200 miles
an hour to anyone who would walk by. I brought her a dog stocking
full of toys so she can have her own presents on Christmas
morning and one of the vets there also brought her a toy.
When I left, she was back in her crate going crazy over that
little green squeaky toy you see in the picture. Everyone
at the vet office loves her. She has the greatest personality
and I hope the pictures can give you an idea of how much fun
she is. She is so happy despite everything that she communicates
love for life: everyone who meets her leaves with a smile.
Now
Lisa is getting ready for her next challenge. You can see
her orthopedic issues (together
with her new, now so fashionable, haircut!) in the picture
. This is how she walks (hoops is a better description). Soon
we will operate on her knees and back legs. Usually you don't
operate on puppies so small for orthopedic problems but her
problems are so severe that if we do not operate she may never
learn to walk straight and her muscles will not develop properly.
It is not clear if one operation will be enough but this will
hopefully help for a while. We will know more after this second
operation.
Lisa
was an unlucky puppy but on her side she has her happiness
and her willingness to live. She made it through the first
operation. Now she has another one in front of her and then
therapy. We don't know how she will be at the end of all this,
hopefully better, but she may never be perfect. However, I
am sure she will compensate any physical deficiency with lots
of love, affection, and happiness. She is truly one of the
most affectionate and loving puppies I have ever met who brings
a smile to anyone she meets. I know it is not going to be
easy to find a permanent home for her but I am confident we
will eventually find a special person who will open her heart
to this wonderful, special puppy!
If you would like to contribute towards Lisa's surgery and
therapy you can go here http://www.labradorfriends.com/fundraisers.htm
(please let us know your donation is for Lisa by emailing
.
In
addition, feel free to email me if you would like to be included
in my "Lisa updates" email group.
Elena
Labrador
Friends of the South
Past
Rescues
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