Zeke

Zeke (we're guessing about 3 years old) has had a tough life up until now. At some point in his puppy hood, his pelvis was fractured. No one took him to the vet to fix it correctly, so it re-healed, but not like it should. His muscles have now all contracted and atrophied and the leg needs to be amputated. The good news is that he already walks and runs on three legs and the fourth one just gets caught on things (ouch). He is a petite 45 pounds -- will need to gain 10 pounds or so (I wish I had this problem).

But boy, can he run on three legs! And, once he doesn't have to move that fourth one out of the way, he'll be flying even faster. The cost of the surgery will be about $1,100. Can you help this dear boy lead a pain-free, happy life?

7/31/04: With a lump in my throat and a smile on my face, Zeke left our home to start his new life with his forever family. He will be a special friend to a family of 4 children, a work-from-home dad, a loving mom, neighboring dog playmates and will get to run and play on three acres of land next to a lake. A lucky dog's dream.

Zeke's beginning was obviously painful and difficult, but regardless of his hardships, he grew into a loving, friendly dog. He had wonderful support from many donors and vets to help him to live a pain-free life. He is now starting the next phase of his life which promises to be full of fun, love and adventure. I am so happy for him and so thankful to all of you.

7/26/04: It is now two weeks since Zeke's surgery to amputate his leg and what a happy boy he is!! His bandage was removed and he no longer has to wear the cone around his head. You should have seen him dance around when we took the cone off, he was so excited. I really think the cone was much more traumatic to him than the surgery.

The first few weeks post-surgery, we would only take him outside on leash for bathroom duties and tried to keep him from over-exerting himself or accidentally falling on his incision. Within a few days his balance was excellent and we started letting him out off-leash for short periods of time. He now runs like a thoroughbred, long strides and straight. It is absolutely beautiful to watch. Last week, I was sitting in the kitchen and looked over at him and he was sitting with his head up looking around. In the five weeks he has been here, that was the first time I had ever seen him sit! The orthopedic surgeon that performed the surgery did a beautiful job and left sufficient bone for him to have a butt and now that the incision is beginning to heal and not hurt, he is able to comfortably sit on his rump (something he couldn't do with that stiff leg in the way). This may seem like a small thing, but it brought tears to my eyes to see the benefit that he is already receiving from the removal of his leg. I was so proud of him and happy for him.

We are letting him run a lot now and only stopping him when he starts to roughhouse play with our other dogs. I'm probably being an over-protective foster mom, but I don't want anything to happen to his incision and jumping around with the dogs makes me nervous. Not having that stiff leg anymore has made his life so much easier and pain-free. Nothing stops him now -- he can run up and down the steps, jump in and out of the car (carefully) and wiggles from head to toe when he wants to be petted. I tried to catch him with the camera running and playing and the pictures aren't the best, because he is so fast, but you get the idea. Once the fur grows back, no one will even realize he is missing one leg. He is a happy, happy boy that loves to be petted and to snuggle up to you.

Thank you to RAGOM, the vet's office, the donors, and volunteers that have helped this boy have a happy, pain-free life. His quality of life is much improved.

7/13/04: Zeke had his surgery to remove his damaged leg on Thursday. When I picked him up on Friday, he was feeling just great, bouncing around, walking just like always. Biggest impediment at this time is the Elizabethan collar that he has to wear to keep him from being able to lick or chew at his bandage. He knocks into things with the collar, being three-legged isn't a problem, but that silly cone sure does get in his way. He would love to run and play with the other dogs but we're trying to keep him from hurting himself until we know the incision has healed. Once that incision is healed (21 days), and he gets this cone off his head, and we can let him loose to run, he will be one happy boy.

Zeke is one of the nicest dogs you will ever meet. He has a super gentle temperament. He loves all people and all animals. Not a mean bone in this young boy's body. He likes to be with you, doesn't run away, comes immediately when called and would love to cuddle on the couch and watch TV with you. He can't do it right now because of the bandage, but he loves to lie in our little swimming pool. I bet he will be one happy camper when he can go to the lake and go swimming in a few short weeks. You couldn't ask for a better companion. Zeke is ready to start meeting potential adoptive families. If you are looking for a dog to love you forever, that you can take anywhere and meet anybody, you should come by and visit Zeke.

7/5/04: Zeke is one remarkable, sweet-tempered, darling boy. That darn old leg keeps getting in the way, but now that his neuter is healed (they wouldn't do two surgeries at once), he is scheduled for his leg surgery this Thursday. The vet said he thought Zeke would be up and about 2 to 3 days after his surgery. He is already walking on three legs so we think the permanent removal of one will be an easy transition for him. If you want a Velcro dog, Zeke is it. He loves to be by your side. I tell him, I'm not going anywhere (just upstairs to get something, run to the bathroom, etc.) but regardless, he has to get up from his comfortable spot and come with me. He loves those scratches behind the ears that he might get. He isn't quite housebroken. He goes to the bathroom outside, but hasn't quite figured out how to tell us he has to go to the bathroom while inside, so he is crated at night in a huge kennel (to make room for the leg) in our bedroom. A bone, with some hidden treats topped with peanut butter and he is settled down for the night. There seems to be some puppy left in this boy (don't know for sure his age). When left to his own devices, he will reach up for the paper or some other good item that he can find, and shred it. Not sure what the fun is in this and my dogs look at him like, what are you doing?, but he loves it. So, I need to make sure I keep my house picked up -- good thing? Zeke will benefit from some obedience training and should learn quickly. He probably would win a recall race, he wants to be with you so bad, say his name and he will come running.