A New Life (with new hips) for Odin Pup
Donation protected
7/28/19 UPDATE: It's been a while since we've written an update, so wanted to share that Odin is doing well and his new hip is nearly healed up. In fact, you can tell by just looking at his hips that the muscle mass is building in the new hip, and is now much stronger than his other hip. That said, it's almost time to for the second surgery, and we know there were still individuals who wanted to donate to the surgery - so we'll be opening a second GoFundMe. We'll include new videos and images there. Thank you again to all of you for helping out. Odin sends his love and appreciation! - Megan, Coley and Odin
5/19/19 UPDATE: Odin's first hip surgery was a success! He is bumming out that he can't move and run, but he is doing well. This will be about a 6-8 week recovery, and his first check-up will be on May 28th. We'll keep you updated and let you know how it's going. THANK YOU again for everything, everyone. Love you.
4/23/19 UPDATE: Odin's first hip surgery is scheduled for May 16th. Thank you to everyone who made it possible - we will keep you updated as things progress. Much love!
4/14/19 UPDATE: Two vets have looked at the x-rays and have given a quote of $12,000 - $6,000 each hip - to fix Odin pup. We have raised the first $6,000 thanks to generous donations from all of you. We are still raising money, if you still are inclined to give, as anything we get from here on out will be used towards his second hip, and anything over $12K will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society - Utah .
**DISCLAIMER**
This is not meant to dissuade you from getting a Dutch Shepherd puppy or any puppy from a breeder. They are great dogs - the best and most playful and loyal and loving. There are many great breeders in the US of all sorts of breeds. We simply urge you to do your due diligence. Coley thought he did his but ultimately should have done more research. First, make sure the parents of the puppy you are interested in are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Certified. Also make sure to talk to the breeder in person if possible; ask them lots of questions. Great breeders will be far more concerned about the fit for the puppy and the wellbeing of the puppy than selling you a dog. Ask the breeder for references and contact as many as you can to ensure they are a reputable breeder.
On March 5, 2019, Odin - our Dutch Shepherd - turned one. That same week, my partner (Hugh Coley Oliver) took Odin to the vet. I was in Europe just finishing the World Cup season, so I hadn't seen Odin since December. "How'd it go," I texted Coley. "Not good news," he replied.
Little did we know when we welcomed Odin into our family last March, Odin's hips didn't develop correctly and he was born with hip dysplasia. For German Shepherds, arthritis is quite common, but it is not as common for Dutch Shepherds...and certainly not for one-year-old Dutch Shepherds. Odin was born with a malformation of hip joints - the worst the vet had ever seen.
Dutch Shepherds are commonly known as working dogs - often police dogs - they're a lively, athletic, alert, intelligent and fiercely loyal breed. They're extremely active. We had thought it to be a bit strange that Odin struggled to jump up into the bed of Coley's truck, and that he wasn't pushing off his hind legs when he ran, and his hind legs would give out when he went to cut a tight turn. As Odin grew, it was clear that something was wrong and his front legs were much stronger than his hind legs. That's when Coley decided to take him in to get checked out.
Hip dysplasia means that Odin wouldn't be able to do any of the things he's meant to do as an active puppy - even play fetch or go for a run. As a working dog, this means his mind will want to do things his body will not be able to do for his entire life - which could be about 13 years longer. All the while, his arthritis - which has already started to appear due to the severe dysplasia - will worsen. In short, without this operation Odin will eventually be in so much pain he will have to be put down. Likely within 2-3 years.
No, Coley doesn't have puppy insurance. Getting it now would mean the surgery is not covered, as it's a pre-existing issue. The breeder told Coley he could replace Odin with another puppy. Replacing him would mean he would be put down. We can't do that. We don't want another puppy. We want Odin. Replacing him doesn't replace him. He's part of our little family.
"I feel so helpless," Coley told me. "I can't let him live like this, I can't afford to fix him, I can't replace him and I can't let him go."
Two vets have looked at the x-rays and have given a quote of $12,000 - $6,000 each hip - to fix Odin pup. The goal for our campaign is set at $6K to fund one hip. Anything we get over that amount will be used towards his second hip, and anything over $12K will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society - Utah.
Let me tell you a little back story for a few moments here -
Growing up on a farm in Wisconsin, I'd never been a huge dog person. My family always had dogs, but we had a porch and that's where they lived. So, when I had friends who loved their dogs like members of the family, I honestly never really understood it. When I moved to Utah, I spent a significant amount of time with friend's dogs, including my friend Chelsea's pup Babs that made me fall in love with the four-legged beasts. Reason why I'm telling you this? I never really understood why dog owners could justify spending thousands of dollars on pets.
Odin has taught me to understand.
Coley has decided for Odin to go through with the surgery, but it is a hefty cost. Coley is not one to ask for anything from anyone, but I am, and I know I'd do the same for a friend whose pup was in need...so I hope you consider joining me and donating a small portion of money to help fix Odin so he can live the long, full, and quality life he deserves.
In return, Odin will give you lots of kisses if he crosses your path.
Much love,
Megan (and Coley + Odin!)
5/19/19 UPDATE: Odin's first hip surgery was a success! He is bumming out that he can't move and run, but he is doing well. This will be about a 6-8 week recovery, and his first check-up will be on May 28th. We'll keep you updated and let you know how it's going. THANK YOU again for everything, everyone. Love you.
4/23/19 UPDATE: Odin's first hip surgery is scheduled for May 16th. Thank you to everyone who made it possible - we will keep you updated as things progress. Much love!
4/14/19 UPDATE: Two vets have looked at the x-rays and have given a quote of $12,000 - $6,000 each hip - to fix Odin pup. We have raised the first $6,000 thanks to generous donations from all of you. We are still raising money, if you still are inclined to give, as anything we get from here on out will be used towards his second hip, and anything over $12K will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society - Utah .
**DISCLAIMER**
This is not meant to dissuade you from getting a Dutch Shepherd puppy or any puppy from a breeder. They are great dogs - the best and most playful and loyal and loving. There are many great breeders in the US of all sorts of breeds. We simply urge you to do your due diligence. Coley thought he did his but ultimately should have done more research. First, make sure the parents of the puppy you are interested in are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Certified. Also make sure to talk to the breeder in person if possible; ask them lots of questions. Great breeders will be far more concerned about the fit for the puppy and the wellbeing of the puppy than selling you a dog. Ask the breeder for references and contact as many as you can to ensure they are a reputable breeder.
On March 5, 2019, Odin - our Dutch Shepherd - turned one. That same week, my partner (Hugh Coley Oliver) took Odin to the vet. I was in Europe just finishing the World Cup season, so I hadn't seen Odin since December. "How'd it go," I texted Coley. "Not good news," he replied.
Little did we know when we welcomed Odin into our family last March, Odin's hips didn't develop correctly and he was born with hip dysplasia. For German Shepherds, arthritis is quite common, but it is not as common for Dutch Shepherds...and certainly not for one-year-old Dutch Shepherds. Odin was born with a malformation of hip joints - the worst the vet had ever seen.
Dutch Shepherds are commonly known as working dogs - often police dogs - they're a lively, athletic, alert, intelligent and fiercely loyal breed. They're extremely active. We had thought it to be a bit strange that Odin struggled to jump up into the bed of Coley's truck, and that he wasn't pushing off his hind legs when he ran, and his hind legs would give out when he went to cut a tight turn. As Odin grew, it was clear that something was wrong and his front legs were much stronger than his hind legs. That's when Coley decided to take him in to get checked out.
Hip dysplasia means that Odin wouldn't be able to do any of the things he's meant to do as an active puppy - even play fetch or go for a run. As a working dog, this means his mind will want to do things his body will not be able to do for his entire life - which could be about 13 years longer. All the while, his arthritis - which has already started to appear due to the severe dysplasia - will worsen. In short, without this operation Odin will eventually be in so much pain he will have to be put down. Likely within 2-3 years.
No, Coley doesn't have puppy insurance. Getting it now would mean the surgery is not covered, as it's a pre-existing issue. The breeder told Coley he could replace Odin with another puppy. Replacing him would mean he would be put down. We can't do that. We don't want another puppy. We want Odin. Replacing him doesn't replace him. He's part of our little family.
"I feel so helpless," Coley told me. "I can't let him live like this, I can't afford to fix him, I can't replace him and I can't let him go."
Two vets have looked at the x-rays and have given a quote of $12,000 - $6,000 each hip - to fix Odin pup. The goal for our campaign is set at $6K to fund one hip. Anything we get over that amount will be used towards his second hip, and anything over $12K will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society - Utah.
Let me tell you a little back story for a few moments here -
Growing up on a farm in Wisconsin, I'd never been a huge dog person. My family always had dogs, but we had a porch and that's where they lived. So, when I had friends who loved their dogs like members of the family, I honestly never really understood it. When I moved to Utah, I spent a significant amount of time with friend's dogs, including my friend Chelsea's pup Babs that made me fall in love with the four-legged beasts. Reason why I'm telling you this? I never really understood why dog owners could justify spending thousands of dollars on pets.
Odin has taught me to understand.
Coley has decided for Odin to go through with the surgery, but it is a hefty cost. Coley is not one to ask for anything from anyone, but I am, and I know I'd do the same for a friend whose pup was in need...so I hope you consider joining me and donating a small portion of money to help fix Odin so he can live the long, full, and quality life he deserves.
In return, Odin will give you lots of kisses if he crosses your path.
Much love,
Megan (and Coley + Odin!)
Organizer and beneficiary
Megan Harrod
Organizer
Park City, UT
Hugh Oliver
Beneficiary