This is Fezzick's story-



Last night, October 2nd 2015, the unthinkable happened for my life, and my sweet Fez. After hearing a yelp from the living room, I had realized that my baby boy's back leg was completely immobile and he could not even walk. Shocked and scared to death, my dog-motherly instints instantly told me something was not right. I rushed Fez to the (lovely and helpful ) vets at  Pets R Our World Clinic to find out the absolutely heart breaking news after sedation and x-rays- Fezzik- named after the giant in the movie Princess Bride, my 140 pound Akita/St.Bernard gentle giant had a torn ACL, excessive fluid in his right hind leg and extreme pain. This isn't the first trial Fez has had to face in his short life, still a puppy today at 20 months old, this warrior of a dog began the first 6 months of his life chained to a fence, neglected of food, water, love, and shelter. Abuse and neglect could make a dog of Fez's size and stature bitter or aggressive. Instead,  he never ceases to amaze anyone he meets what a pure and absolutely beautiful soul he is, but above all gentle.
Fez was then picked up by animal control looking like skin and bones. When CAWS animal rescue of Baton Rougue took Fez in, it was apparent how completely isolated his life truly had been...If the workers gave him a toy, blanket, or bed, Fez instantly ate it whole, completely unaware of  what was food and what was material matter. A friend of mine happened to work at the shelter and couldn't resist his sweet face and need for love that she took him in as a foster dog. I firmly believe in fate and how every moment is a stepping stone to the future-and this was the first stepping stone to my future with my best friend Fez.


This is the picture from the day Fez came home-

Fez appeared in my life at a time when I needed him most...I was batteling health issues and to be completly candid, I was in a depression I felt I couldn't overcome, something was missing. It wasn't until I was convinced to go over to my friends house for a dinner, unaware that this was the home to this foster dog I had been hearing about. Two minutes after walking in the house I was embraced in a giant bear hug by this monster of a dog- and that was the "moment". I was completely and utterly in love with this animal, and in that instantaneos second I knew I would be the one to give him a forever home free from all his past trauma. 
After the adoption process, Fez moved in and boy was it a transitional period for all of us. Banny, my yellow lab and him became instant brothers and best friends. The two of them together fulfill my life in a way that is hard to put into words as it is something so genuine and special. They are the true definition of best friends: see video below :)









Hard times hit when not even a few months after adoption, we noticed Fez had tendancy to be sore after playing in the park or going on walks. Then he started having a hard time jumping up on the bed, or climbing stairs. After many X-Rays, we got the news that Fez has sever double Hip Displaysia, extremely bad for a dog of his size, breed, and more importantly, his age. The vet explained the options-douple hip replacement- with 6 months of confinement and then year of rehabilitation. For the severity and his young age, I was concerned about his quality of life. Not to mention, the price can lead to upwards of $12,000 dollars. As a student in college, this was not an option.  After speaking with different specialists, we decided quality of life for fez over the surgery- managing his pain with natural remedies, swimming to build muscle, weight control, and pain meication/anti-inflammatorys. It seemed to be manageable and he was running, playing and becoming more agile by the day...so we thought. 

  From when Fez first moved in to now present day,  he has grown out of his terrible seperation anxiety that was created by his early traumatic puppy-hood, his tendancy to relieve himself in the house, his love for eating EVERYTHING and my personal favorite-his unique talent for getting out of any sort of crate. Confinement isn't really his thing. We grew and learned together, as a family. I taught him basic life skills for a dog, but he taught me something much more important- and that is love. He showed me day in and day out no matter how much destruction he could incur on my house, when I got home he would always always always greet me with a sloppy kiss and wagging tail as if to explain "I just thought you weren't coming back for me mom". None of the material objects mattered when I had the fluffiest and cutest cuddle buddy sleeping by my side every night. (cuddle puddles are our favorite past time) and netflix- Fez's personal favorite- American Horror Story: Coven.





Looking back now, I would relive those first couple months of "tazmanian/ houdini Fez" for a lifetime, just to have my baby boy back to health. I can see the pain in his eyes, and when I tell you I can feel my heart physically breaking knowing I don't have the means to make it all better, I mean it. 

Now that the Hip Displaysia has caused the deterioation of tissue and severe friction of his joints, The ACL rupture has occured from a simple mistep he made. Not even two years old, Fez has been given two choices that he has no real say in- double hip replacement and ACL surgery or euthanization. Upon hearing these options for myself, I felt helpless and devastated. 
There is no way I would ever conciously euthanize my heart and soul unless his quality of life was compromised. The surgery is Fez's only option to ever walk again and more importantly, to live the life he has deserved all along. The surgery together will be around $5,000 for the ACL, and up to $12,000 for the double hip replacement. This does not include the rehabilitation, medication, etc. 

Fezzy's calming demeanor has given me more than I can ever repay him. Anyone who has met Fez, can say the same thing- he is something unlike any animal I have ever met. If you find it in your heart to help with Fez's surgery costs and give him the fighting chance he deserves, our family would be eternally grateful. 
This is my best friend and I cannot lose him. I am not one to beg or ask for hand outs, in this case however, I will do whatever it taskes to give Fez his freedom to walk and play again. He was chained up for too long already, I want him to run free just like his exuburant spirit...


The surgery will be a long journey, but I have full faith in his strength and our determination to get Fez back to full health, free from chains, whether it be literal or physical limitations. 


Friends, family, kind strangers & animal lovers alike, I hope you will read Fez's story and find it in your heart to help this big bear and help us keep our family together. 

Thank you so much for reading Fezzy's story, please feel free to share. 

I will keep everyone updated and answer any questions you may have.