What would you do if you saw an injured dog lying by the
side of the road? Would you just keep driving, ignoring her obviously
struggling body and hope that someone else would do the kind deed and stop?
Would you pretend you didn’t see her with her sad eyes, asking for help? Or
would you stop?
Dr. Genorah Warner of Skyland
Animal Hospital
did just this on the way to work early one Saturday morning. It was raining and
she glanced over and saw something moving and obviously in distress on the side
of the road. Once she got closer, she realized it was a dog that had most
likely been hit by a car. Being a Veterinarian, she always has some blankets
and at least one leash in her car so she pulled over to try to help the critter
out.
She was obviously down in her back end, unable to walk on
her own, and she was cold, wet and scared. The dog offered a few grumbled
growls to Dr. Warner as she lifted her up into her car and placed her gently on
some blankets. Obviously in pain, the injured pup seemed grateful to find some
warmth in the blankets and the kind soul that actually stopped to help her,
almost as though she knew that she was safe- for now.
Once at the hospital, Dr. Warner and her techs provided the
dog with some pain management and antibiotics. We could visibly see that she
had extensive wounds on her belly and right rear leg and that her pelvis was
most likely broken. Upon scanning her for a microchip, we learned that she
didn’t have one. The only form of identification she had was in the form of an
old rabies tag from the humane alliance placed on her collar. She stayed
through the weekend where we continued to offer her care until we were able to
find her owners and get permission to perform more extensive procedures.
The following Monday, we learned that the dog and her
housemate had been staying with a family member while her owner was out of town
caring for her sick mother. The dogs had dug out of the fence and had been
missing since the previous Wednesday. The housemate had also been hit and had
many more extensive injuries. We learned that he had been euthanized only days
before. They seemed thrilled to learn that their other dog, whose name we
learned is Sadie Ann, had been found and was seemingly doing OK in the good
hands of people who were growing to love her.
That morning, we sedated Sadie and performed hip and rear
leg radiographs. We soon learned that she has a broken pelvis, split precisely
in two, multiple fractures in her right hock and perhaps some internal injuries
as well. We then learned that the surgery to prepare such injuries could cost
anywhere from $1500-2000, not including after care or medications to help keep
her comfortable. This kind of situation makes working in the veterinary field
that much harder. Upon telling the owner this, the owners were given the option
to either have the surgery done or euthanize. At this point, we couldn’t be
certain of any other possible internal injuries that could minimize the time
Sadie had with us. It was possible that the surgery would be performed and she
still wouldn’t survive. The owner decided to give Sadie a chance and told us
she would try to save up the money to have Sadie fixed.
Sadie came to us on December
14, 2013. Since then, she has been on pain management and
antibiotics to treat her external wounds which have since healed. We have
performed several radiographs and applied a splint to her left hock to help her
get around better. She has had several bandage changes as well and she has also
been heartworm and fecal tested. It also appears that her internal injuries
weren’t as significant as what we had originally feared. She is able to use the
bathroom on her own and she is now able to walk, sometimes jog, on her own,
using her splinted leg to get traction and balance herself while walking and
getting around the office. She has still not had any form of surgery, but she
needs it in order to ensure a better quality of life.
She now also needs a new home. The previous owners have
decided that they can no longer provide her with the extensive care that she
needs both financially and mentally. It has been an emotional roller coaster
for us all who have fallen in love with this sweet soul as we each have taken
the time to care for her and keep her comfortable.
This is where you come in. We have set up a fund to “Please
save Sadie”. To find out more information, please call Skyland
Animal Hospital
at (828)252-8644 or come on by and meet our sweet new friend who has taken up a
space up front to help greet our clients as they come in each day.
We have coined the phrase “Miracle Dog” to this lovable,
kind pup who has fought for her life daily since the moment Dr. Warner found
her struggling by the side of the road. Each day she greets us with doggy
kisses and a wagging tail, seemingly unaware that there is anything wrong with
her. She’s a fighter and a huge inspiration to us all. Sadie has managed to
touch the heart of each person she has encountered, providing love and comfort
as only a dog can. Her story is a success that has just a little bit further to
go.
We ask you to please help save or friend Sadie. After all,
it’s the least we can do since in a small way, she’s helped save us all here at
Skyland Animal
Hospital. We thank you for your
love and support- and Sadie thanks you too.
Mary Will
