Lucy’s Journey……Just the Beginning Lucy came in to Rescue on Monday morning, August 19th, 2013. She has been found, wandering, and dragging her back leg. She was taken in, and cared for, by a wonderful resident of Norway House, MB until she was able to come in to Rescue, with NorMan Pet Rescue Inc. Our initial fears were that her hind leg would have been injured, beyond repair, and would require amputation. Up[on arrival in Winnipeg, she was immediately taken to Best Friends Animal Hospital, where they spent the afternoon taking xrays, and assessing the damage to her little body. When she was picked up, I was shown the x-rays, and the damage was described to me. I was told that it was quite extensive, and that, due to the extreme nerve damage, repair was unlikely. She had no pain sensation in her hind right leg. Her hind left leg had crushed bones in it. She has two crushed vertebrae, which are not repairable. It was also quite unlikely that she had any bowel control, and likely to never gain any. The prognosis, considering all contributing factors, was that it letting her cross over to Rainbow Bridge, where she could run free, and be happy forever would be the best option for her. It was after closing time, so this would not be able to happen until the next day (Tuesday). I decided to take her home, where she could be pampered, and treated like a princess, and know cuddles and spoiling for at least one night. The next morning, I started succumbing to Lucy’s charm, and was a mess. I knew that price was a huge factor, in the decision to not pursue other options. In Rescue, there are no funds, other than those sent in by donations, or those generated by fundraising. As much as we would like to save all the animals, the harsh reality is that we simply cannot afford to, and the outlook for many, as far as adoptability goes, is not bright. So, many would live in foster care, and risk moving form foster home to foster home, and not necessarily have the best quality of life. Each scenario is different, for each dog, and each one is equally as heartbreaking for those who must make the decision to not continue treatments. I have been in situations, where outlook was bleak, and euthanasia was the only option. Even though it was the only option…it is horrible to go down that road. Something about Lucy, however, prevented me from allowing that to be the only option. I had already created her Facebook Page, the day before, and she was already becoming so loved by people, who were rooting for her to get better. I couldn’t bear to not try, for her, so that everyone wouldn’t be disappointed. She can’t fight for herself. So, I spent the morning, harrassing the staff at Best Friends, to look at the x-rays again…pretend they had a billion dollars…see if that would change how they saw the x-rays. Thankfully, my “sales skills” won out, and they did look some more. In fact, they sent her x-rays off to a specialist – Dr. Bebchuk – who also took some good hard looks. Meanwhile, Lucy has been at home, with me…getting cheered on for everything she does. She is taken to meet people, and has charmed everyone who meets her. Her personality is delightful…..she is sweet and spunky and loving. My fear became that the outlook would still be grim. What am I going to tell everyone that is now following her story…..giving them hope….my hope….that she will get through this? Well, Lucy started showing ME that the vets’ opinions don’t matter. She not only does NOT soil herself…she holds it…so she doesn’t pee where she is sitting. This is HUGE. As for pooping…well let’s just say that, although she also poops away from where she is sitting….she got a lot of special little “baths”. Her tail would inevitably sustain collateral damage….if you know what I mean. Today, however, while at the vet, she went off to the corner, and lifter her little tail. I was SO excited!! Here we are IN the vet office….trying to plead about how well she does…….and there she goes and does a little extra!!! Man, this girl must think she wins the lottery over and over again.....with the reactions she gets from me! Lucy also likes to move around. My concern is that, since she has a broken leg…why is she so eager to move around? Dr. Gould checked her out and seemed impressed at her willing mobility. She tested her range of motion, and said she would update Dr. Bebchuk on her progress, now that she has witnessed it. So, Lucy’s injuries are a bit tricky. She has a leg with no sensation that is not injured. She has a leg that is injured, and can feel pain – but she wants to run around and play. She has a broken back….but nerve damage is likely preventing her from feeling the pain of this. It has been decided to give her bed rest for two weeks, with testing her range of motion on her hind leg. Once it is not painful for her, we will be starting swimming therapy. The hope is that the bed rest will let her leg heal properly, and the swimming will maybe enable her to regain mobility in the other leg, while allowing her healed leg to regain muscle without strain. If the injured leg does not heal, it may require amputation. Or, the injured leg may require surgery, to help it heal properly. Throughout the next couple of weeks, we will monitor her progress, so that this decision becomes clearer. She will also begin seeing a physiotherapist, in order to continue to heal, and regain mobility and strength. Her exercises will start right away….at 5 minutes a day. Now on to the harsh reality portion of all of this. Regardless of how Lucy heals, and the method by which the vets are able to assist her to have the best outcome, her medical expenses will be high. The initial estimate is $3000. This takes into account the surgery – either to repair, or amputate her injured leg. It also accounts for the physiotherapy that she will receive….which will be a longer term process. It is likely that Lucy will require long term care, and lifelong care – by way of mobility assistance and therapeutic care. Lucy’s story has tugged at a lot of heart strings. Early on, she received the attention of Robin Gardner. She administers a Facebook Page, dedicated to building a strong network of animal advocacy. Robin has her own dog – Weebles – who sustained his own injuries, which gave him his own dismal prognosis – he ws not expected to walk, or stand, or play – ever. With lots of hard work, and lots of love, Weebles does all that. HE doesn’t even know he is different. Robin not only has all the equipment, but she also has the time, willingness, and desire to give Lucy the best quality of life she could ask for. Robin would like to make Lucy’s story one of education, and hope. She will be an ambassador for Rescued and injured animals – not only giving hope to other injured animals, but also showing what love and perseverance can do. Injured animals are not “incomplete” or “disposable” or “incapable”…..they are “special”. The treatment that Lucy will begin here will continue with Robin, and she will become part of Robin’s special family. Her home has been adapted to accommodate the special needs of her four legged babies. She has a Vet College right up the road from her home, and a vet who is already familiar not only with Lucy’s story, but is also confident in their and Robin’s ability to help Lucy continue her successful journey. We are about to embark on to a campaign to raise these funds, not only to cover Lucy’s medical needs, while here in Winnipeg, but also to be able to send forward, to the vet she will be under the care of, when she moves to her new home, with Robin. If you would like to be a part of this journey of hope, we have a few different options for you to be able to donate. - PayPal link on our Facebook Page - https://facebook/NormanPetRescue/app_208195102528120 - Directly to Best Friends Animal Hospital – 204-269-4451 or 2355 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3Y 0A1 - We will be setting up donation jars for “Lucy’s Loot” around the city. More details of locations to come. If you would like a can, for your business, please let us know at nprwpginfo@gmail, and we will gladly get one to you - In person – to Lucy, herself – Saturday, August 24, at the “Walk to End Animal Abuse” from the Forks Market to the Legislative Grounds, starting at 11am. More information can be found here: https://facebook/events/119784661546478/ *Please be sure to add a note that the donation is for Lucy* On behalf of Lucy……..Thank you for believing in her…and for supporting her…..we love you for it!!
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 05:32:40 +0000
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