Shotzie's Surgery Fund

From Shotzie's human Mom and Dad - Sherry & Joe:

 12/28

Please keep our Shotzie in your thoughts and/or say a little prayer. On Saturday, December 26, Sherry found Shotzie laying in our backyard, unable to get up on her own. Apparently, she was running around playing and slipped or fell and we thought perhaps she had pulled a muscle or sprained her back legs or something. We carried her in and made her comfortable on the sofa. She had no interest in food or water. That evening, we tried to get her to stand on her own - no luck. Her back legs just folded under her. Still no interest in eating or drinking. We carried her outside and held her up, trying to get her to urinate. No luck. This continued into the night, with several more attempts on our part to get her to 'go' while we supported her outside. Sherry and I stayed with Shotzie in our living room - Sherry on the sofa with Shotzie and me in a chair. Very little sleep or rest was accomplished.

In the morning (Sunday, Dec. 27), we took Shotzie to the Pet E.R. on Cromwell Bridge Road in Towson. Although the waiting area was quite busy, they took Shotzie into an exam room immediately. After examining her and taking x-rays, it was determined that she had torn the cruciate ligaments in both knees of her back legs and was a bit dehydrated, still refusing to drink. However, she was extremely alert and still had a wagging tail for each attendant and doctor, all of whom were very kind and gentle with her.

After several hours of tests and exams, it was decided that they needed to admit Shotzie for surgery on both legs, IF the surgeons felt that it was possible. (Shotzie is 9 years 9 months old). However, we would have to wait until the following day. They also briefly discussed the 'alternative', which neither Sherry nor I wanted to hear. Quite frankly, I was in tears.

With her bladder now beyond full (it had been approx. 30 hours since she had urinated!), they sedated Shotzie in order to catheterize her so they could drain her bladder. They also needed to give her an IV, as she hadn't eaten or drank for about 30 hours as well. It broke my heart to leave her there. It's like leaving a little child at the hospital. You can't explain to them why you're leaving them alone. You feel like you're abandoning them. Hear-breaking. But

We left Shotzie around 2 pm and called to check on her at about 8 pm. The doctor said that after sedation and being catheterized, they were able to relieve her bladder. They had hooked her to the IV and she was resting comfortably. They called us this morning at 6:30 am to let us know that Shotzie had a basically restful night and that the surgery team would be in later and that we would receive a call when a decision had been made as to how to proceed.

It's now 12:45 pm and I'm very nervously waiting for my phone to ring. As I asked, please keep a good thought for a 'positive' call and a very successful and rapid recovery for my 'little girl'. Thank you all. Love, Joe

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UPDATE:


My dear friends - I am writing this through my tears. I simply can't believe that money, not ill-health, is going to take away my beloved Shotzie.

The good news is - the surgery team feels positive that they can repair the torn ligaments in Shotzie's legs. They said (as I well know) that despite being 9 years old, Shotzie is still a vibrant, life-loving, otherwise healthy dog. However - two surgeries would be needed, with some time in between for healing.

The atrociously bad news is - Sherry and I simply don't have the money this is going to cost. The estimate, at this point, is approx. 10 thousand dollars. I am beyond sick to my stomach and my heart to think that Shotzie could be helped and fully recovered IF we only had the money. I knew with surgery involved it would be expensive, but I truly had no idea that the cost would be so astronomical. I feel that if I don't come up with this money that I am fully responsible for Shotzie's death. I don't know how I'll live with myself if it comes down to this decision due to my poor finances. I don't know what else to say or do and I apologize for going on like this on a 'public platform' - but I don't know where to turn. I'm truly ashamed to even ask, but can anyone help me in some way?  (EDITOR note - they are looking at other less expensive options but could really use some help!)