Friends,
On my drive to work on Wednesday between Greenville and Wilson, I found a pitiful, malnourished, freezing dog that had been hit by a car and left in the snow on the side of the road. He was almost completely covered in snow when I found him. There is no telling how long he’d been there.
I picked him up and rushed him to the vet. They worked all day to stabilize him. His body temp was 12 degrees below normal. He was hypothermic, his femur and pelvis are broken and he has frost bite. He made it through the first 48 hours and the vet has aligned me with a few options of surgeons who are capable of the bone repairs. I went ahead and footed the $700 bill for the procedures up through today, but I am not financially able to take on the expensive surgery and meds he is going to require from this point. I have never found myself in this situation so I'm not sure what else to do beside reach out to friends. I have been unable to find a local charitable organization that is willing to take on his medical care. I just know that I'm committed to making this poor creature as comfortable as possible after the horrible mess he's been put through.
I’ve included a picture of my little buddy, Blue. I've been hesitant to give him a name without knowing if he'd survive, but the doctor called this morning and said he made it through the night and he is trying to stand on his 3 good legs! He's weak and isn't able to eat or be off of IV fluids yet, but the doctor said he should be strong enough to undergo surgery to repair his broken leg and hip within a week! Since he seems to be a Blue Pit Bull/Shar Pei mix, I think "Blue" is an appropriate name for now.
The next steps: I received news from the vet this afternoon that I have 2 options. I have to decide between scheduling the surgery needed to “fix” him and help him regain use of his back left side, or I can choose to amputate the limb altogether. The cost of the reparative surgery is estimated to be $1500, while the amputation is roughly $1000. I am still struggling with this decision. Either way, surgical procedures are a necessary next step, and will come along with boarding and observation expenses.
Given the surgery goes well, Blue will still have a long, rocky road to recovery. He’s severely underweight, anemic and will likely lose tissue due to frost bite. He will require ongoing medical care and therapy.
I am wholly committed to saving this angel and giving him a second chance at the comfortable, happy life he deserves. I’m asking you all to help spread the word about helping me fund his recovery. Every little bit counts. Just think if even 100 people give $20... The more people I can touch, the closer I get to being able to provide him with the medical care he needs now and in the future.
A side note: The vet called me today and told me that it had become clear to her that this poor, forgotten dog is clearly grateful. While one of her vet techs was trying to get him to eat food from her hand, he lifted his head and kissed her on the nose, then went back to sleep.
Given his condition, no one knows the last time this animal had shelter or food. I’m determined to help him heal and provide him comfort and love. Please help me help Blue. When considering a donation, please keep in mind that this is about more than just an injured dog. This is about second chances! This dog was left for dead and we collectively have the power to save him. This fundraiser is about hope, new life and pure love.
