Sweetie's Story
Sweetie, an approximately 1 year old female Border Collie mix, who weighs only 20 lbs. and looks like a miniature Border Collie, was made available for adoption in mid-August 2002 (after her extensive and complicated orthopedic surgery was successfully completed on July 18.)
Sweetie had come to the Knoxville - Knox County Animal Center as a stray with a "lucky" break -- an incomplete fracture of the radius and ulna that would heal quickly with just a splint. But after dancing around happily with her new splint, her luck ran out.
She began to develop lameness on a hind limb. Radiographs showed Sweetie had also fractured a femur, probably six months or more previously. Since she was just a pup at the time, the untreated fracture had bridged itself together as best as her body could do. Now the extra stress from having a second broken leg was causing the old bridges to break down. Orthopedic specialists believed there was still hope to save the leg, but the cost was beyond what the shelter or our rescue organization could do. We were determined to help Sweetie receive the orthopedic surgery she needed, so we started fundraising to raise the money for Sweetie's expensive and complicated surgery.
By June 29, 2002, we had received donations totaling the $950 that we needed to take care of Sweetie's orthopedic surgery. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all the generous people who have helped to make sure that Sweetie can live a healthy, happy, and MOBILE life!
On July 18, 2002, Sweetie had surgery which consisted of a fracture repair (plate) and also a bone graft (which we had not expected, but which we have the additional funds to cover). The plate is very strong, but it can bend or even break if the bone is not given time to heal. So Sweetie was looking at strict confinement for about four months, with no running, jumping, or stairs. She could be walked on leash to go outside to potty, but her walking must be very limited. She was taking antibiotics and pain medication and then had had her sutures removed. She continued to have follow-up x-rays. She also needed physical therapy on a regular basis, and her adoptive family would have to receive initial assistance from a veterinarian with the PT. Sweetie was fostered by Dr. Michelle Williams, the shelter veterinarian, and received the best of care while waiting to go home to her new family. We were so appreciative of the response we had to Sweetie's plea, and wee in awe of the generosity, caring, and concern we witnessed. (If you would like to learn about other ways to help the rescue dogs in our care, please click here.)
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On Saturday, August 17, 2002, Sweetie's new family picked her up and she is now a Middle Tennessee girl, living in Nashville. We hear that she is doing great and settling in well.