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3-legged Roxie needs ACL surgery

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     The first time that I saw Roxie was in the fall of 2009.  It had been six months since I had lost the dog I'd had for 15 years, and, on a whim, I went to an Adopt-a-Thon in Toledo, Ohio.  When I arrived, there was a sweet brown dog, with big eyes and the tip of one ear falling forward, who watched me with curiousity from her crate.  She only had 3 legs, but she was energetic and alert. On November 22, 2009, I adopted this sweet girl from the 4 Paws Sake rescue, and Roxie Rose Moore officially became a part of my family.
    The beginning of Roxie's life was a horrible one.  When the rescue was able to take possession of her, Roxie was about 6 months old. She was emaciated, full of worms, and had a broken hind leg.  The veterinarian was forced to amputate the entire leg, because her pelvis and femur had grown into a gigantic mass of bone.  Her early life had been one of extreme abuse and neglect. 
    At the beginning of our time together, Roxie would cower and cry if someone raised their voice.  She has scars on her face from being attacked by other dogs, and she has a long knife-like slit on her bottom jaw that I cannot bear to think about.  Roxie hoarded food, worried that she would be starved, and she cried whenever I would leave her alone in the house. We spent the first year together, learning patience, love, and trust for one-another.  
   Somehow, with all that she has had to endure, Roxie is an energetic, loving, ball of adventure.  Even though she only has 3 legs, she can run and jump faster than most other dogs her size.  Roxie is a constant source of mischief, and everyone who meets her falls in love, just like I did.  The school crossing guard carries dog biscuits for her in her pocket, and Roxie is known to lay down in the yards of people that she likes, refusing to move on until they come outside to pet her.  There has rarely been a day without a new "Roxie story", and my students have seen her as an inspiration against adversity in their own lives.   
   When I adopted Roxie, I promised her that she would never have to fight, be hungry, or worry about being hurt again.  Recently, Roxie and I were on our daily morning walk, on the public sidewalk, and we were attacked by a loose dog.  While I was trying to get the dog off of us, it knocked me over, and Roxie bravely protected me.  Even with veterinary care, Roxie has had a painful summer and sometimes cannot walk on her back leg.
Two weeks ago, her leg began to make a horrible noise, and I took her to an orthopedic surgeon.  Roxie has a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus in her only back leg.  She needs to have surgery right away, or she will eventually permanently





lose her ability to walk.  I have been assured that she can go back to having a healthy, "normal" life after the operation has been done.
  When I adopted Roxie, I thought that I was taking in an animal who needed a loving home.  But, somehow, I have been the one who really needed her.   When I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease, and started my treatment, she cuddled next to me for weeks when I couldn't get up.  When I was laid off from my job, she sat on my feet while I filled out application after application, praying to make ends meet.  She meets me every day with a loving heart and unbridled enthusiasm, excited that I am finally home.  She also consistently steals my dinner, when I'm not looking, to make sure that I don't gain weight. ;)
   I am not good at asking for things, but this is not for me.  Roxie needs to have this surgery immediately, and I have to find a way to make it happen.  I am grateful for anything, as I am just starting to get back on my feet again financially.  Any extra money will go toward her aftercare and additional treatment.  Someday, we will also hope to give back to 4 Paws Sake, who saved her life.
  On behalf of Roxie and myself, thank you for your support or simply for sharing this story with others. 
 
     
      
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Donations 

  • Amanda Conger
    • $100 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Michelle Moore
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