Go for Kei

Hi Everyone,           My name is Brett and I am a paramedic in Toronto. I first met Kei (K-eye) when I was at work and responded to a fire in the month of March. It was a 3 story fire and people and aninals were still trapped inside. Toronto Fire pulled a person out of the fire, clutching this filthy, malnourished, and terrified dog. They brought them both to my partner and I we treated and transported them both to the hospital. I found out later while watching the news that this same individual had barricaded himself inside the his apartment and set the fire, killing his other dog, 2 cats, a bunny and a gecko. Kei was the sole furry survivor from that apartment. All other humans and animals were able to get out in time due to the great work of Toronto Fire. I found out later that this person was taken into custody and Kei was surrendered to the care of Toronto Animal Services where she received immaculate care during her stay. I began calling TAS almost every other day inquiring about the status and well-being of Kei. April 5th was the incredible, life-altering day I was able to see Kei again and finally bring her to happy home. I was able to get her vet records and according to the records, April 5th, amazingly, happened to be her 6th birthday. So many people have told me that she could not have recieved a better birthday present then being rescued by myself and Ashley. When I first brought her home, she was withdrawn and scared, which I was expecting due to the amount of neglect we suspected she had suffered. It did not take long, however, to gain her trust. She came out of her shell and she quickly took on the persona of a puppy with her excitement and enthusiasm to experience everything Ashley and I could show her. She truly is one of the sweetest dogs i have ever met. Unfortunately though, the amount of neglect she had suffered in her first 6 years of life was far more reaching than we had expected. According to her vets, she never received proper exercise and nutrition which led to her having weak and vulnerable ligaments. While on a simple walk at a campsite, she snapped the ligaments in her leg. When it happened, her leg was pointing in the wrong direction and she was in excruciating pain. Carrying her the 1 kilometre back to the campsite and driving 45 minutes to the closest after hours clinic we were finally able to get her some medical assistance. With everything I have seen while being a paramedic in Toronto, that drive was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Kei suffered a complete rupture of her tarsometatarsal joint and now requires surgery to allow her to walk on the leg once again. She requires arthrodesis of her tarsometatarsal joint which fuses the joint back together, allowing her to use her leg once again. It is a very expensive procedure. Kei will also have to go through extensive rehabilitation to strengthen all her ligaments and muscles so she can live a long happy life. The expenses for the initial emergency vet bill, surgical consultation and the surgery itself are staggering. Her follow-up appointments, procedures and rehabilitation are also going to be substantial and we are asking for any help you can provide for this little sweetheart of a pup. Any donations are gratefully welcomed and if you can't help monitarily, then we would greatly appreciate sharing her story with everyone you can. Everyone who has met Kei since she came into our lives would tell you if anyone dog deserves a happy life, it would be her. Thank you so much for reading our story.