Save Molly's Leg
Donation protected
Molly is Katie's dog. We got Molly when Katie had to have reconstructive facial surgery to help her fix several problems relating to eating, breathing and speaking. The government refused to pay for these surgeries because she's special needs. It was all on us but in the end, Katie had surgery to bring her upper jaw forward to line up with her lower jaw. Normally, this type of surgery is done quite often, but, what makes Katie's surgery different from most is how much the jaw needed to come forward and how a bone from her hip had to be removed and placed in her palette to keep the jaw from slipping back out of position. After that, new sinus cavities had to be ground out below her eyes and attached to her nasal passages so that for the first time in 18 years, Katie could finally breathe through her nose. This improved sleep apnea issues, and her speech. A deviated septum needed to be fixed next, then titanium pins were put into her face to hold the jaw in place. Now, Katie could eat. Instantly, Katie's life changed for the better. Although bruised with two black eyes and a very puffy face from the manipulations the doctor had to do with her jaw, Katie did very well. Next, was recovery. This is where Molly came into play.
As Katie recovered, Molly stayed by her side watching over her as she slept on the floor in our room. As I said before, Katie is special needs. She was born with Down syndrome and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of ten. So after this surgery and because her body was healing, her sugar levels were all over the charts. Molly alerted us when she went low and kept a steady watch on her throughout the night. If Katie woke up scared, Molly was there to snuggle and reassure her. If Katie woke up in pain, Molly made sure we were up getting her medication for this. If her sugars bottomed out, Molly woke us immediately. She stayed beside her day and night.
After Katie recovered, the bond between dog and child became even stronger. They were inseparable. We've had other dogs, pets throughout the years, but this bond was very different between girl and dog. There was something special here, something unique and not easily found.
Molly is a rescue dog. We found her at the pound after being removed from a very abusive situation. She required a lot of love which we had in an abundance, especially Katie. We gave Molly a second chance and she loves us completely for this. She is part of our family and we don't know a world where she isn't part of it.
One night after doing her nightly duties out back, she came up the steps of our deck to come into the house when she cried out in pain and limped inside. Her right leg was tucked up under her. Immediately, we feared the worse and we had reason to worry--her knee had twisted the wrong way and her leg broke when she pushed up to jump. The vet examined her and the news was grim. The only option to save our dog was surgery. Molly's pain was beyond our understanding and we knew this couldn't go on. Molly would require pre-surgical tests and x-rays, surgery and then a very lengthy recovery with more treatments and x-rays. Our lives were about to be turned upside down.
The knee was gone and a plate would have to be anchored to the leg bones to allow the leg to bear weight. The chords that banded the knee together had snapped and new bands would have to be inserted in their place. The costs were sky-high. A specialist would have to be brought in from Toronto since our local vet was not willing to carry out the difficult surgery himself... another big cost...
I know some will say, "It's just a dog... get another one..." Seriously, there was only one Molly.
It was two weeks before Christmas, bills were piling up, and Katie... she kept looking to us for a solution to her losing her best friend and pet. We borrowed money and began the long road of getting Molly back on her feet.
The surgery went well. A plate was attached to her two bones and new bands were applied. When we saw Molly after the surgery, she was in incredible pain. My heart broke but Katie moved right in and cradled her best friend's head in her lap stroking Molly's coat and cooing encouragement. We'd made the right decision.
Next, came all the medication, therapy, containment, more therapy, more containment, lots of medication... more expenses. As Molly's leg mended, different treatments were applied to help her leg bear weight. She wouldn't put it down. Stimulation and therapy of the damaged leg muscles was constant. The whole procedure would be pointless if Molly never used the leg as it's intended to be used. The alternative was bleak.
Then came the stomach upset, the bleeding from the strong meds, the refusal to take her medication and the inability to go up and down stairs. A harness had to be made, Molly is not a small dog, and used to lift her bottom end every time she went up or down stairs. Did I mention we are seniors and this happened during the winter?
It was difficult to watch her spirits diminish. We persevered and Katie encouraged her friend to keep trying. Molly was crated to keep her still at night when we couldn't watch over her. Katie checked on her throughout the night. Molly lost weight to remove some of the strain off her mended leg. This helped her, but also made her more reckless. With the new energy, she wanted to run, not walk ever so slowly.
We were told that most dogs face the possibility of blowing out the other knee while this one is recovering because the good leg does double duty. Molly needed to be confined in movement, yet still receive therapy to keep the mended leg muscles from atrophying. Without the muscles being used, they begin to shrink. So, we have this dog who is hyper but can't get around, must be helped up and down the stairs to keep her good knee from blowing out, needed to go to the washroom and being a girl, the idea of squatting to do her duty was an impossible feat for her because that one leg had to balance all her weight long enough to be successful. We were ever watchful, helpful and cautious, taking her out in a harness for stairs and a harness for control with walking. We confined her movements to the even plain of our front lawn... this drove her nuts. She wanted to go for walks, run and go and down the stairs without a harness. We remained diligent. But, the bills were piling up.
This is where you come in. We desperately need donations for Molly's surgery, treatments, medications, x-rays and therapy, not to mention all the devices and crates/beds, heating pads we needed to help her along the road to recovery. Her bills are extensive. We want to do what is right by Molly, but we have a large developing bill that keeps growing. Your dollar or two will go toward these costs. Anything you can give us to keep Molly and Katie together will be heart-felt and appreciated.
Molly has lots of life left in her, and her time with Katie is a treasured and needed success. If Molly succeeds, then Katie grows from the relationship. Your compassion towards animals will not go unnoticed, or unappreciated. Giving a broken dog a second chance is such a great mental and emotional reward. We love Molly, and, Katie loves anyone who understands just how important her dog is to and for her and how much she needs Molly every day to be there, support her and love her back.
Thank you ever so much for considering this fundraiser and thank you for all that you give. From our hearts to yours, God bless you!
As Katie recovered, Molly stayed by her side watching over her as she slept on the floor in our room. As I said before, Katie is special needs. She was born with Down syndrome and diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of ten. So after this surgery and because her body was healing, her sugar levels were all over the charts. Molly alerted us when she went low and kept a steady watch on her throughout the night. If Katie woke up scared, Molly was there to snuggle and reassure her. If Katie woke up in pain, Molly made sure we were up getting her medication for this. If her sugars bottomed out, Molly woke us immediately. She stayed beside her day and night.
After Katie recovered, the bond between dog and child became even stronger. They were inseparable. We've had other dogs, pets throughout the years, but this bond was very different between girl and dog. There was something special here, something unique and not easily found.
Molly is a rescue dog. We found her at the pound after being removed from a very abusive situation. She required a lot of love which we had in an abundance, especially Katie. We gave Molly a second chance and she loves us completely for this. She is part of our family and we don't know a world where she isn't part of it.
One night after doing her nightly duties out back, she came up the steps of our deck to come into the house when she cried out in pain and limped inside. Her right leg was tucked up under her. Immediately, we feared the worse and we had reason to worry--her knee had twisted the wrong way and her leg broke when she pushed up to jump. The vet examined her and the news was grim. The only option to save our dog was surgery. Molly's pain was beyond our understanding and we knew this couldn't go on. Molly would require pre-surgical tests and x-rays, surgery and then a very lengthy recovery with more treatments and x-rays. Our lives were about to be turned upside down.
The knee was gone and a plate would have to be anchored to the leg bones to allow the leg to bear weight. The chords that banded the knee together had snapped and new bands would have to be inserted in their place. The costs were sky-high. A specialist would have to be brought in from Toronto since our local vet was not willing to carry out the difficult surgery himself... another big cost...
I know some will say, "It's just a dog... get another one..." Seriously, there was only one Molly.
It was two weeks before Christmas, bills were piling up, and Katie... she kept looking to us for a solution to her losing her best friend and pet. We borrowed money and began the long road of getting Molly back on her feet.
The surgery went well. A plate was attached to her two bones and new bands were applied. When we saw Molly after the surgery, she was in incredible pain. My heart broke but Katie moved right in and cradled her best friend's head in her lap stroking Molly's coat and cooing encouragement. We'd made the right decision.
Next, came all the medication, therapy, containment, more therapy, more containment, lots of medication... more expenses. As Molly's leg mended, different treatments were applied to help her leg bear weight. She wouldn't put it down. Stimulation and therapy of the damaged leg muscles was constant. The whole procedure would be pointless if Molly never used the leg as it's intended to be used. The alternative was bleak.
Then came the stomach upset, the bleeding from the strong meds, the refusal to take her medication and the inability to go up and down stairs. A harness had to be made, Molly is not a small dog, and used to lift her bottom end every time she went up or down stairs. Did I mention we are seniors and this happened during the winter?
It was difficult to watch her spirits diminish. We persevered and Katie encouraged her friend to keep trying. Molly was crated to keep her still at night when we couldn't watch over her. Katie checked on her throughout the night. Molly lost weight to remove some of the strain off her mended leg. This helped her, but also made her more reckless. With the new energy, she wanted to run, not walk ever so slowly.
We were told that most dogs face the possibility of blowing out the other knee while this one is recovering because the good leg does double duty. Molly needed to be confined in movement, yet still receive therapy to keep the mended leg muscles from atrophying. Without the muscles being used, they begin to shrink. So, we have this dog who is hyper but can't get around, must be helped up and down the stairs to keep her good knee from blowing out, needed to go to the washroom and being a girl, the idea of squatting to do her duty was an impossible feat for her because that one leg had to balance all her weight long enough to be successful. We were ever watchful, helpful and cautious, taking her out in a harness for stairs and a harness for control with walking. We confined her movements to the even plain of our front lawn... this drove her nuts. She wanted to go for walks, run and go and down the stairs without a harness. We remained diligent. But, the bills were piling up.
This is where you come in. We desperately need donations for Molly's surgery, treatments, medications, x-rays and therapy, not to mention all the devices and crates/beds, heating pads we needed to help her along the road to recovery. Her bills are extensive. We want to do what is right by Molly, but we have a large developing bill that keeps growing. Your dollar or two will go toward these costs. Anything you can give us to keep Molly and Katie together will be heart-felt and appreciated.
Molly has lots of life left in her, and her time with Katie is a treasured and needed success. If Molly succeeds, then Katie grows from the relationship. Your compassion towards animals will not go unnoticed, or unappreciated. Giving a broken dog a second chance is such a great mental and emotional reward. We love Molly, and, Katie loves anyone who understands just how important her dog is to and for her and how much she needs Molly every day to be there, support her and love her back.
Thank you ever so much for considering this fundraiser and thank you for all that you give. From our hearts to yours, God bless you!
Organizer
JL Slipak
Organizer
Port Colborne, ON
