Sam arrived from KY Friday evening. Thanks to the Shelby County NO Kill mission shelter, she is alive. There are not many places that would have allowed a dog a chance like Sam. Kudos to them for performing the emergency surgery, and giving her a chance.
We are like minded rescue people, and Dr. Amanda Fowler the vice president of the No Kill Mission, is an inspiration.
Groups like these are part of the No Kill equation that desperately needs to be adopted in this country to end the senseless euthanasia of homeless pets.
GWP Rescue, Inc has some tremendous volunteers that jumped at the chance to drive Sam from KY to Kansas in a day. They arranged and executed a flawless plan of action to get this needy dog into our rehab home. They covered the transport completely, and allowed Sam the opportunity to continue her medical care.
Update: This was written on 3/13 and today is 3/26....which may give you an idea of exactly how much time a dog like Sam requires. We have had quite a time of it the past two weeks. Sam's break is catastrophic in nature and my first rehab of such a medical issue. We have Dr. Todd Knappenberger leading the way now for her recuperation. We have a plan, and it does not include any time out of the crate other than hourly walks on leash and then back into the crate. Supplying meaty bones and bully sticks, Merrick Duck chews...anything to make this confinement tolerable has been the goal. Having a full time dog sitter while I am away the 6 hours per day, and day boarding at the vet's office has been a blessing. Sam cannot be alone for one second.
Her third set of x-rays yielded some disappointment....but looking at the whole picture of Sam being an adult wirehaired pointer at 35 lbs, emaciated, and wormy wouldn't provide much foundation for healing. I just felt everything has gone our way in the past and this would be no different. There would have to be some kind of miracle here like all the other miracles right?
We learn something from each dog we rehab....we have to embrace the opportunity to learn lessons, whether they go our way or not. We have to accept and be patient. We cannot let emotion rule but common sense. (Which I must confess that I have lacked somewhat the past two weeks...blame it on no sleep...) But know that Sam will be forever in our heart, that she will be the poster wire for medical rehab...and the power of positive thinking plan of action is in place.
It will be a very long haul...not the 8 weeks we had thought, but 3-4 months. We will be with her every step of the way however, and provide all that is needed somehow. Foster homes that help us I am confident will pull up the slack, as I will be very occupied with Sam, Emma, Baldwin and Jenny. The good news is that everyone is sharing the Duck chews and bones!@
