Trooper: NYC Shelter Dog Surgery

Firstly, thank you for giving Trooper your time! My name is Alyse Luurtsema and I am a Canine Aquatic Specialist in Boston, MA. Beyond this, however, I am a dog lover. While I have seen many dogs of varying physical states, and hundreds of owners with different stories..Trooper's is one that touched me dearly. One night while punishing myself with sad dogs in need on Facebook, I came across a dog who was on death row because of a cold and a supposed sprained leg in NYC. I shared it with a client and friend, Lola, who had recently lost her best friend of 17 years and was feeling lonley without that familiar pitter patter around the house. I had swam her previous dog, Bandit, for 2 years after his age had caught up to him and we became fast friends. I tagged her in the photo and we came to the insane conclusion that we would take the 4 hour drive from Massachusetts to NYC one afteroon after work to go and rescue him from certain death. Upon arrival, we could tell that his leg was severely atrophied, and that he put little to no weight on it, but Lola knew that this dog was meant to be with her. Papers were signed, new name was given, and this new family was on their way! Trooper, originally Capone, was diagnosed with a sprained leg while at the kill shelter..though after only a few days with Lola, she knew there was a bigger issue at hand. After multiple vet appointments and a handful of aquatic therapy sessions, it was determined that Trooper had had some sort of traumatic injury that was much more severe than originally diagnosed. This little strong boy has been living with what appears to be a completely broken and/or dislocated, and improperly healed front leg that affects every part of his daily routine. It is thought that he was perhaps hit by a car as a puppy and instead of taken care of properly, was surrendered to the kill shelter. Capone was renamed Trooper, because he truly has been one. Trooper is being treated at Emerson Animal Hospital in Dorchester, Massachusetts where he is on appropriate pain managment and supplements. The surgery, while already scheduled, is expensive and a constant worry to his mother who is a dedicated nurse. While being a nurse sounds lavish, the surgery alone is almost 3 months pay. Please, ladies and gentlemen, every little bit helps. I personally pledge 1 free hydro massage swim session to Trooper for every $100 that is donated towards this fund. Please share far and wide, friends, family, strangers, and dog lovers <3 Help us give Trooper the second lease on life he deserves so much.