My Skyline alum and friend, Debbie De Mello, is a professional dog trainer, and does a lot of work with the local shelters to re-assess dogs that have been labeled "aggressive" or "not adoptable". The day before Valentines Day, Debbie had posted a picture of this sweet looking dog named Bernie, and something clicked to me and told me that I needed to save him. On Valentine's Day weekend, I have always made a point to go to a shelter and love up some sweet pups. I called Debbie the morning of 2/13 and told her that I wanted to Foster Bernie. She told me that because he was listed as aggressive and was on the EUTHANASIA list for 2/14 - that only a Rescue could take him from the shelter. So - we called HARP and got it approved that I could pull Bernie and foster him on behalf of HARP. Bernie had quite a following and I still get emails from people that were following his journey at the shelter, asking for updates and pictures.

Well - I picked him up, and as far as I was concerned, I fell in love right away. I told myself that I would give him 2 weeks to see if he liked me as much. Well it didn't take that long -- and it was a done deal! We were each others' one and only! The next Saturday, I drove out to the next HARP adoption event in Martinez and officially adopted Bernie. (the car picture that I sent you where he isn't wearing a halter, was his freedom ride home form the shelter.)

​Bernie has been a rock star from the beginning and adapted so easily to my crazy life. Bernie is mellow and loves to play with his squeaky toys. He loves riding in the car and laying in the sun and going on walks, even in the rain. He won't let me out of my sight and he follows me around the house - every minute. Bernie loves snuggling in my lap and is comfortable curling up anywhere close to me.

Bernie is very active and loves to jump onto the couch and the bed and into the car. Perhaps this is how he hurt his back. No one knows...

Almost 2 weeks ago Bernie would scream when I touched him or even looked like I was going to touch him. I didn't know why - he didn't seem to be hurt, like bleeding or any broken bones... This went on for a few days and he seemed to be a little more sensitive each day. Then, a little over a week ago, I noticed that Bernie's back legs were wobbling and he wasn't walking normally. He was still screaming when I went to touch him - sometimes only in certain places and other times just kissing his face.

I took him to the Vet and they did X-rays. The X-rays showed that he had an injury to his vertebrae. The Xray showed a protruding disc in his lumbar area along with other smaller injuries to his spine. We were prescribed anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer and told to watch him for 2 weeks as both of the meds should help to relax his spine. After 3 days, Bernie didn't seem to be getting any better - as a matter of fact, he was getting worse with each day.

Poor baby - anytime he would move the wrong way while he was lying down, would make him scream and thrash around. Needless to say, His toes would curl under and he wasn't putting full weight on his back legs. His legs were wobbling more and more and it has now gotten to the point where he just drags his legs behind him.

In spite of this, Bernie insists on "walking" around rather than being carried. He will pull himself along and keep moving rather than lay down, and I know how tired he must be. What a great little trooper!

​I took him back to the Vet and got the chance to meet with another doctor that gave me much better information. He rechecked Bernie and recommended an MRI and surgery. Since Bernie is so young (only 1.5 years old) he could recover very well after surgery. He also said that the surgery needs to be done sooner than later, as Bernie's condition is getting worse. At this time, he still has a little feeling in his back legs, but once the feeling goes, it will be a much different outcome after surgery.

The vet estimated the MRI at $2000 and the Surgery at about $4,000-5,000. WOW! I don't have anywhere close to that kind of money to help Bernie, and have been agonizing over having to put him down all because I can't afford his surgery and don't want to see him suffer. Every time Bernie screams, I think to myself that I shouldn't make him suffer and consider euthanasia. Then - he kisses me and looks at me with eyes that say - I don't want to die over this. He still has so much life and love in him, I can't bring myself to put him down if we can find a way to raise the money to pay for his surgery.

My heart beats out of my chest all day and I just hope that this little guy has the strength to hang in there and let some help find us and help with his surgery and related procedures.

I am looking at connections at UC Davis to see if we can get Bernie in with one of the Doctors there. Maybe we will be fortunate and get a lower cost treatment for Bernie.

I love this little guy and don't want him to suffer. Bernie deserves the chance to have surgery and live a better life than being lame.

Jan



Operation Paws Rescue added 2 new photos.
February 12 ·2016
**WORRIED UPDATE, Friday afternoon/Martinez CA - very urgent little doxie mix BERNIE #A832867 with the dreamy eyes is still waiting and hoping to be your valentine but his review is tomorrow (Saturday Feb 13) and he may not get much of an extension. I don't get it - this guy is so smart, attentive, calm, other dog friendly, barely 1 yr old and handsome as heck. Maybe he has been overlooked in the rush to help so many other needy dogs this week? BERNIE is the one who got an overall D on his temp test in part because he nipped a person on the finger as she grabbed to catch him when he was a scared stray out on the street. So now he needs rescue/foster to get out by this Saturday Feb 13 (he may also be outright adoptable with a waiver). He has a new video here - https://youtu.be/-iSCD5Q64F4 - he is a little nervous and unsure at first, yes, but he warms up fast and is a staff and volunteer favorite who lives for your kisses and attention. Professional trainer Debbie DeMello has evaluated him and says this boy is a sweetheart! Surely someone out there is feeling this special BERN?? If you can help by fostering or adopting him, please contact one of our local rescue groups ASAP or comment here on this page so we can put you in touch with one. Rescues, please contact either the shelter's rescue coordinator at [phone redacted] or the main desk at [phone redacted] (press "0") right away for more info. BERNIE is at the Martinez shelter at 4800 Imhoff Place and he needs a plan by tomorrow, Saturday Feb 13.**
New video link - https://youtu.be/-iSCD5Q64F4