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Really, Doug? Seriously?

DOUG! AGAIN?

I've been thinking all day about what I was going to post here.  And after pondering over and over, I just can't come up with anything but "tell it like it is"!  So here we go...

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Monday morning, April 25th dawned with Doug deciding it was time for everyone to get up and have breakfast at 6:15 a.m.   He barked at Edi to get out of bed and feed him.  Stella heard him bark and came running.  She, of course, loves breakfast, too!  They were both happy and excited and started running to the kitchen, playing and dancing just like  every morning.  As they were playing, Doug let out a yelp, but then went back after Stella.  Edi looked and saw his leg was at a very strange angle. 

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We already knew he has a loose knee that may need to be fixed some day, so she figured he just blew his knee in front of her.  She texted me to tell me what happened and to let me know she'd call me after she took him to the vet.  They got ready to go and drove the mile to the vet and sat in the parking lot till the Doctors and staff  got there for the day.  In they went, and Doug, happy to be at the vet (seriously - he LOVES it there!), was wagging his  tail and ready to visit.  They took him in back and put him on some Tramadol till the vet could get a look at him.

I can't even begin to relay the surprise when Dr. Judi called and said "His hip is dislocated".  I actually heard the words "Are you sure?" come out of my mouth.  Yes.  She was sure.  She knocked him out and popped it back in, but it slid right back out.  X-rays showed the hip joint looked really good - no deterioration, so it was determined that the most likely issue was just bad, stretched ligaments - again an old injury that healed improperly, and now finally stopped working. 

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So....  A board certified orthopedic surgeon was called and Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m., Dr. Lara Rasmussen was checking our guy out.  Once she got in and looked at what was going on, rather than doing a full-blown FHO, she had them call and see if we wanted to go ahead with a Hip Luxation/Internal Fixation with a Rotational Suture.  I was told it was like taking super strong fishing line and tying things back together - basically making artificial ligaments to hold the leg in place permanently.  It's a faster recovery with less chance of complications - and no cutting off of the femoral head.  I said, sure!  Go for it.

As always, Doug flew through the surgery like a champ and Edi picked him up at 5:30 and took him home.  Stella was happy to see him, and he was happy to be home and to get some dinner.  You wouldn't even know he had surgery.  He's not droopy, sad or feeling sorry for himself at all.  I dropped by this evening to see him and to bring a neck brace so he can't get at his stitches and an ice pack for his therapy this week - and he was only interested in a chew bone Stella found tonight.  (Though as Doug has no teeth, it's more of Gumming Bone than a Chew Bone!)  The incision looks GREAT, he's moving around fine - a bit gingerly, but I'm sure the Fentenyl patch and the pain meds he's on is what's making him so "happy". 

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He'll be spending the next two days at home being spoiled by Edi, and then Friday he'll be hanging out at my house for the day while Edi goes back to work.  Next week he'll either spend the days here with me and the Krew for daycare, or spend the day at the vet if I can't watch him that day.  We need to keep an eye on things for 2 weeks till the stitches come out.  We'll start some light physical therapy next week and work our way through the next 6 weeks at which point he should be at 90% or better. 

There you have it, folks.  The damage done at the puppy mill once again rears its ugly head.  Who knows what injury Doug would have sustained to have caused the ligament damage, but there it was.  Once again, our guy has shown us just how strong and resilient he is.  I've been through at least 6 different leg surgeries over the years with my dogs, and I've never had one as happy and content as Doug is tonight after surgery.  He never ceases to astound me.  He's a spectacular dog.

And the best news - his blood work looks GREAT!  The greyhound blood is coursing through his veins, making him stronger every day.  The next session of worming starts in 2 weeks, and he's actually gaining some weight!  And he is SO happy.  I can't tell you how in love everyone here is with this dog.  From Edi and William, to me, to the vets and techs and staff at the vet clinic - and everyone he meets. 

Since he'll be here a lot in the next 2 weeks, I'll try to get lots of pictures and maybe some video - so everyone can see who this dog is that has become our unofficial mascot.  You can't help but fall in love with Doug.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU...

...  for all of the good thoughts, karma, prayers and wishes.  Believe me - it's the love that Doug is getting from around the world that shines in his eyes.  Doug was a "Nothing" when he lived in that mill.  He didn't even have a name.  He was not loved or cared for or comforted.  He could be injured or sick, and he was left to his own devices to either live or die - with no concern to his pain or well being.  Doug just seemed to keep going - knowing that some day he'd be loved.  Fighting to live for that chance was worth it.  And now, Doug is so much more than Nothing.  He is a dog that is "Everyone's Pet".  So many love and care about him.

Doug says THANK YOU to Dr. Judi Funk and Dr. Sara Williams and the staff at Compassionate Care Animal Hospital, and Dr. Lara Rasmussen from the Veterinary Surgical Specialists. And especially to Edi for being such a good dog Mom and keeping a good eye on him and making sure he gets all of his medications and love and especially for giving him breakfast and dinner every day!

~Love to all of you from Doug

If you'd like to help pay for Doug's hip surgery, please click the "Donate" button below and donate what you can via PayPal.  Or mail your donation toKathy Lauer, American Fox Terrier Rescue Treasurer, 8738 Prestwick Parkway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443.  Remember, your donation is tax deductible.

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