February 2015
The month began with Craigslist, as it often does. There was a dog picked up and taken to the Marion County shelter (Salem, Oregon) and they posted her info looking for the owner. When we called we learned she was found in a chicken coop, and there was some question whether her family would come forward because of the fines. Eventually they picked her up, and we’ll hope they learned how important fences are. We appreciate new adopter Anita, who went in and got pictures for us and was willing to help with transport.
As this report is being written there is another Craigslist dog in eastern Oregon. It’s beginning to look like something isn’t quite right because a free Samoyed is easily placed, and they have ignored rescue’s attempts to help. It remains to be seen what exactly is going on.
This is the month Lily finally had her surgery. She went to a specialist last month because our usual vet, who does most of our orthopedic work, said this was a complicated repair. Lily had a break in her right rear leg as a puppy, when the growth plate was still growing; as a result her knee joint was rotated incorrectly and the leg was slightly shorter. The patella (kneecap) was off to one side. Our surgeon is based in Portland but travels to the Olympia area one or two days a week so we were able to have the surgery done locally. Our regular vet, who is skilled in his own right orthopedically, told us more than once after Lily’s surgery how he was so impressed with the surgeon. The x-rays are spectacular, showing a lot of metal in her leg. He made a circular cut and rotated the leg back where it is supposed to be. When surgery began we had a call letting us know her cruciate ligament was torn, asking permission to do a TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) at the same time. We agreed, of course, wanting to get everything done at the same time. The result was a beautifully done procedure that should give Lily a long, healthy life with little pain from the previously broken leg. The only down side is a recovery period of five months, during which she must be walked on a leash. For the first month we will use two leashes, one around her body to support her weight in case she slips. The bone needs time to heal and strengthen. It was the most expensive surgery we have experienced, either personally or on a rescue dog. Ron and Kathy will be contributing the majority of the cost and Lily will stay with them. She has already bonded tightly.
Jack’s hair is beginning to grow back after his diagnosis of hypothyroidism and a prescription to get things balanced. It is his second time in rescue after a bad placement, and it’s the custom that a dog coming back is allowed to stay with his foster family. He fits in very well with the pack, and is happy where he is.
There is a senior dog with a rescue group south of Portland, and we are referring people to her. We wish more people would realize there’s nothing as special as a senior Sammy.