Back in February while training, Spanky impaled her right knee while going out to retrieve a bird.  When it happened, her mom Mary watched as her hips jerked up and she went end over end, landing on her back.  She could hear her mom shouting NO! NO! as she ran like the wind down to her.



Spanky was confused upon hearing the words NO, as she was certain she was going the correct direction and wanted to continue even though her leg was dangling.   She was scooped up by Eloy, carried to the truck, and rushed to emergency.

Mary of course was beyond thrilled when she was told that Spanky had avoided major damage, and would be free to train after the stitches came out.  This most definitely was not true, and it never healed right.

Yesterday she had an appointment with specialist Dr. Edwards, (interesting side note - he is a former field trialer whose first dog came from Patopea)  here in Alaska, and was informed that she indeed had a cruciate tear, caused from this traumatic tumble.   She will not be running trials this summer or ever again if she doesnt' get this surgery.  If retired, without the surgery she can expect terrible arthritis.  She is 7 years old..

Spanky's mom has been having some financial difficulties after moving back to Alaska, even after selling the camper and most definitely cannot afford this surgery.  Now for a word from the author:

Hey guys, if you can help me fix Spanky's leg that would be awesome!  I KNOW some of you want to compete against the World Famous Rascal again.   I would like to schedule the surgery for the first of June if I can raise the money.  I have to wait this long because a friend was kind enough to send me down to Oregon to see my doctor at OHSU in May, and the timing would be terrible because the responsibility of making sure Spanky is behaving herself on her leg would fall to my son.  So I can't do that.  

Thanks so much everyone!

-Mary & Spanky