NOVEMBER 3 - 2009

 

Hi my name is Mason, and I’m about 8 months old.  Aren’t I handsome?  I was hit by a car a couple weeks ago and was picked up by my people.  I call them my people because they have been taking care of me.  They have another name too, the Kentucky Humane Society,  and they help animals in need.  I don’t care what they are called – they like me an aweful lot so I call them my people.    My people asked me to write this blog to tell people about myself and to help raise money for my surgery.  

 

My people tell me that I was hurt real bad when that car jumped in front of me.  I was just minding my business walking down the side of the road and Wammo – don’t remember much after that.  

 

After my accident my people sent me to the doctor to get fixed.  They said I needed surgery because my pelvis was broken.  I didn’t know what my pelvis was, but I knew one thing, I couldn’t walk and I sure did hurt a lot in my back end.  

 

Next thing I knew I was sent to a dog hospital called Louisville Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Services.  That is a mouthful so I just call them LVSES.  That is where I met my first doctor, Dr. Mary Lauren Mesich.  Dr. Mesich told my people I needed a big surgery.  She took pictures of my bones and said I was real broken (check out my x-rays!!!).  She seems like a nice person so I figured I would let her try to help me.  I gave her a big kiss to let her know that I trusted her.  

 

Next thing I knew I was waking up from surgery in the ICU.  That is where I met  Dr. Tom Day.  He told me that he would help my pain.  He said he was board certified in pain management and critical care.  I wasn’t sure what that meant but I did know I slept like a baby and felt pain free!  Dr. Mesich told me that my surgery was very complicated and long but she said my pelvis was fixed.  She told me I had to work hard to get my leg back to working again.  (Check out my before and after x-rays – I think she did a great job!)

 

After surgery my Doctor’s and the ICU technicians took me for walks and gave me lots of pets each day.  They told me I had to walk with this thing called a sling to prevent me from slipping. (watch me walk just a couple days after surgery).

 

Over the course of the next couple days several people worked with me.  Dr. Lara Day is another one my Doctor’s.  She does acupuncture and laser therapy, which I love.    I like to fall asleep during my sessions – they are so relaxing!  Jackie Sharp is another important person in my life right now.   Jackie is certified in rehabilitation and she says that it is her job to get my leg back on track now that the bones are fixed.  I like Jackie cause she gives me lots of treats and pets.  Jackie puts these round circles on my leg which makes my muscles work.  She calls it electrical stimulation.  It kinda tickles, but I like it.  Sometimes she makes me do things I am not too sure about though.  She said I had to get into this box with glass walls and walk.  Then all of a sudden it starts to fill with water.  She calls it a water treadmill.  I call it very weird.  I told her that I could not swim – at least I didn’t think I could.  She said not to worry and she put this orange vest on me.  She always gets into the box with me to make sure I am not too scared and to help if I trip.  I am not very good at this water treadmill thing right now but I think I can do better with practice (check out my first water treadmill session – don’t laugh, I will get better!) .  Jackie says I will get lots of practice in the next couple months.  

 

That’s it for now.  My people tell me that I can give updates whenever I want about what I’m doing.  If you think I am the cutest dog in the world please click here and donate to my care!!!  Thanks to everyone for checking me out.  See you soon!

 

12/3/9

I’m back at LVSES and loving all the attention I’ve been getting.  I had to come back and stay here because they told me I was becoming too active at my foster parent’s house.  I couldn’t resist because my foster parent has other dogs that play and want to play with me.  But, they tell me, my “hardware” has moved some and that is not good for my healing.  I’m also getting more rest and not allowed to get in the underwater treadmill until I get more x-rays.  For now, I am just enjoying being pampered, kissed, hugged, and going through rehab 5 days a week.  The rehab now is easy for me, all I have to do is lay down while I get massaged, low-level laser therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation.  Don’t ask me what any of that means because I have no clue, I just know it makes me feel good afterwards.

 

12/9/9

I’ve been at LVSES for a week now and still enjoying my love and rest time.  I’m waiting to get my x-rays next week.  Hopefully, I will be allowed to walk in the underwater treadmill soon.  I used to not like it, but really don’t mind it so much anymore.  I have been doing some exercises.  My therapist (Jackie) makes sure she puts a “sling” under my belly all the time so I don’t put too much pressure on my surgery leg since we want my bones heal well.  Now that I have more time to rest, I have been getting really good at sit, shake, and lie down.  Every time I do that, Jackie gives me a treat.  I love treats, so I shake hands with her a lot.  Not much else to report for now other than I am happy I’m not outside and alone in the cold.  They tell me I will be even happier when I finally find my forever home and family.  I sure am excited for that!

 

12/14/9

I’m doing well here and I got my x-rays taken again today.  They gave me something to make me sleepy and good at the same time, so I didn’t even know what was happening.  Thank goodness, because I don’t like when the pull on my leg too much.  Besides that, I get walked in a sling everyday around the clinic, I do my rounds smelling and kissing every person I meet, even the clients in the front lobby.  They all tell me I’m so cute and I will find a home soon.  Right now, I’m just waiting to see if they will let me back in the underwater treadmill or if I will have to stay rested while my bones heal.  I’m a pro at sit and shake, but I am told I still need to perfect my “down”.  Practice makes perfect and I practice a lot because I get treats every time I practice.

 

12/15/9

Found out today from my radiologist that my bones are healing and my “hardware” has not moved.  Yeah for my healing, but because my implants did move before, I am still not allowed in the underwater treadmill until my bones fully heal.  I have to be slung walk all the time and I’m not allowed to play rough.  But, that’s okay, because I get to walk around LVSES every day and visit everyone.  They are all so happy when they see me, makes a guy feel special, you know.  Today, I have a bit of an upset stomach.  I had an accident in my cage, but I don’t know why.  The techs here are so nice, they gave me a bath and I smell minty clean now.  I still wish my belly didn’t ache.  I also found out I’ll be staying here through the New Year!  At least, there’s a lot to see and things are always busy, so I’m not as bored.  I hope everyone is having a good holiday so far and staying warm.

 

12/21/09

Another week has flown by and I’m still hanging out at LVSES.  They tell me my leg is stronger, but they still don’t want me to put full weight on it, so I still get slung walk.  Oh, I have more good news, my stomach feels much better and the medicine they are giving me is helping!  But, the bad news, some time late last week, someone here noticed a small patch of hair loss on my back.  Dr. Jennifer Schissler, the dermatologist, examined my skin and told me it is not bad, it’s called demodex and gave the technicians a gel to put on my alopecia spot for two weeks.  She says it should start getting better soon and luckily we caught it early, hopefully it won’t spread to other places.  I’m still going through rehab and I like that part of my day because I get to do my social rounds.  Now, Jackie is having the other people in the clinic give me treats when I do tricks for them.  It’s my favorite part!  And, if you promise not to tell them, I think they like it better than me, they all cheer really loud when I “sit”, and it’s so “easy” for me to sit.  Good talking to you and we’ll chat again next week.  

 

 

12/28/09

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I enjoyed all the activity that went on at LVSES.  There were so many dogs and cats coming in and out all day long.  I wanted to say, “Hi” to all of them, but the technicians told me they are sick and might not be up to greeting me.  However, when I get my walks around the clinic, I’m allowed to sniff from afar and let them know they are well cared for.  As for me, Dr. Schissler is pleased with the how my skin is reacting to the gel.  She says I shouldn’t need any more medication, other than the gel, since the demodex is not spreading.  My leg is getting much stronger too.  Jackie says I have built up some muscle during my sling walks because I am putting it through a good range of motion.  In a week or two, I will be getting another set of x-rays to see how my fractures are healing.  I’m excited to find out and then I might get to walk in the underwater treadmill again!  I want to thank everyone for their kindness and donations for me, I am one lucky dog!

 

1/4/10

It has been 8-weeks since my surgery and today I am getting my recheck x-rays!  I am very excited and I hope I get the “thumbs up”.  I really want to be more active again, walk in the underwater treadmill, go stay at my foster home, and do exercises that my rehab therapist has designed for me.  I will find out tomorrow about my results from the radiologist.  My New Year has been rocky; the technicians noticed I had some blood in my stool Friday, so now I’m back on Metronidazole. Since I have been on medication, I have not had any more problems.  Plus, I have gained weight; I am a stout 50lbs now!  I am stronger on my leg and I can put a little more pressure on it, even though I’m still being slung walk.  I have mastered the “down”, now I’m supposed to learn to “stay”.  That’s real hard for me because I simply adore being touched by people and other animals.  But, if they give me lots of treats, I might be inclined to “stay”.  

 

 

1/5/10

I have good news!  The radiologist reports that I am healing well and I can increase my activity level as long as I don’t do too much at first.  I need time to build up my muscle, balance, and coordination since I have been “off” that leg for a while.  That means I am going to be able to get into the underwater treadmill and exercise.  YAY!!!  You know, it’s hard to keep a happy guy like me down for long.  I need to maintain my “fun man” reputation.  I should also be able to go back to my foster mom and stay with her for a while until someone gives me a forever home.  For now, I’m going to try to bulk up and make 2010 my year!  It’s very cold out there, try to stay warm and please remember my other four-legged friends out there need to stay warm too.

 

1/27/10

Wow, where do I begin!  I have been staying at the Humane Society for the past 3 weeks now.  They are so nice to me and I get to stay in an office during the day, greeting the many passer-bys.  I have been getting very strong.  I don’t even need a sling anymore when I go for walks.  I’m allowed to play more and I even get to run from time to time.  I still go for rehab twice a week to strengthen my leg more and I do exercises that help me feel more confident to using and putting weight down on my leg.  I’m having such a great time, but no one has told me I have a home yet.  For the time being, I guess I’ll just enjoy all this good company until I get my forever home.  Please come by and see me at the Humane Society for a visit if you are in the neighborhood.

 

3/8/10

It’s been a while since I last wrote on here, but so much has happened to me and I haven’t had much time to sit and write.  I have great news; I have found my forever home!!!  I couldn’t ask for anything better and my parents even gave me an older sister that looks almost like me.  I love her and I love my parents.  My mom took a picture of my sister, Bristol, and me while we were enjoying our time together on our bed and deck, just looking around and enjoying life.  I am very strong and my muscles are starting to fill in.  I have been given the thumbs up to run, hop, and play (chase) with the critters in our neighborhood.  My mom took me to Cherokee Park this weekend and I had so much fun walking and playing with the other dogs.  I wanted to let everyone know how happy I am and how much I appreciate everyone’s care, love, and concerns for me.  I’m sure you all know the old saying, “a man’s best friend is his dog”, but for me, you all are my best friends and will always be close to my heart.  THANK YOU for giving me a chance to know the good life!!!

 

With love always,

Mason