Gretel's Guardians
Donation protected
On Saturday, August 22nd, Gretel was taken to Flannery Animal Hospital due to what we thought was a pulled muscle of some sort. She was wobbly on her legs and appearing to struggle. She was given some pain meds, muscle relaxers, and a referral for a Neurologist in Brewster.
On Monday, I made the appointment for the neurologist, got more info from the doctor at Flannery and began to start worrying, as Gretel's condition seemed to be getting worse. She was now completely unable to use her back legs and was dragging them behind her.
Tuesday morning was no better. I took the hour drive to Brewster with Owen's parents and had her seen in the vet's emergency services at Guardian Veterinary Specialists. The news was heart dropping. They said they believed something had happened to one of the discs in her back, they needed an MRI to see exactly what was going on and that she may need back surgery to correct the condition. In the beginning, they were giving me not much of a guarantee that Gretel would, in fact walk again.
After hours of sitting in the parking lot, being visited by the emergency doctor, the neurologist, receptionists, and more, all while crying my eyes out and nursing exhaustion and a headache, they completed her MRI. The findings were better than they originally anticipated... she had at least an 85% chance of full recovery. For disc injuries, it was the best it could be, but she still needed surgery. They needed to correct a ruptured disc that was causing compression on her spine, which was the cause of her immobility and inability to control her bowels. For all testing, anesthesia, and the surgery and after care the grand total came to be $12,000...I know... she is just a dog, but Gretel is not just a dog.
Gretel is my first dog that has been my sole responsibility, my first fur child. She was there when I met Owen, she was there for so many family events, she was there for the purchase of our first home, and most importantly, she was there to comfort me when I lost Owen in July of 2017. I am no stranger to loss. And all I could think all day in that parking lot was that I was about to lose yet another member of my family? I was just not ready to let her go yet. She has so much more life to live at the young age of 6. That Tuesday morning that we brought her in, she was still Gretel, personality and all. She had light in her eyes, and was happy to be around all the people that loved her, including her fur brother, Maverick. So no, Gretel is not just a dog, she is my family and truly my emotional support dog.
I made the decision to give her the surgery Tuesday night after 8 hours in the parking lot, countless tears, and a whole lot of stress. I decided that I was going to find a way to make it work. I know that Owen would have agreed with me because he loved Gretel just as much as I do.
I have been updated (Wednesday, August 26th) that the surgery went very well, they are keeping her for 3 days, and that they have tested her again for pain sensation in her back legs and she has regained feelings, which is VERY positive news for her recovery journey.
But this in not the end of Gretel's recovery. She still has a very long way to go. She is going to need physical therapy, both at a facility and at home to regain her ability to walk and function daily. This is on top of the surgery and I am her sole provider. The funds raised for her will be put towards the cost of the surgery and her after care.
I put a lot of thought into whether I wanted to make one of these for her. And I decided that the pros outweighed the cons. Any amount will help and I hold no expectations. Please do not donate if you are unable to, a simple share goes a long way as well. But any and all help is SO appreciated. I know there are so many people in my life that knew Owen and I and how much she meant to us. Gretel has also had an impact on many of those same people, and maybe even given you lots of stinky face kisses. Thank you again if you have taken the time to read this and thank you if you choose to share or donate. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
On Monday, I made the appointment for the neurologist, got more info from the doctor at Flannery and began to start worrying, as Gretel's condition seemed to be getting worse. She was now completely unable to use her back legs and was dragging them behind her.
Tuesday morning was no better. I took the hour drive to Brewster with Owen's parents and had her seen in the vet's emergency services at Guardian Veterinary Specialists. The news was heart dropping. They said they believed something had happened to one of the discs in her back, they needed an MRI to see exactly what was going on and that she may need back surgery to correct the condition. In the beginning, they were giving me not much of a guarantee that Gretel would, in fact walk again.
After hours of sitting in the parking lot, being visited by the emergency doctor, the neurologist, receptionists, and more, all while crying my eyes out and nursing exhaustion and a headache, they completed her MRI. The findings were better than they originally anticipated... she had at least an 85% chance of full recovery. For disc injuries, it was the best it could be, but she still needed surgery. They needed to correct a ruptured disc that was causing compression on her spine, which was the cause of her immobility and inability to control her bowels. For all testing, anesthesia, and the surgery and after care the grand total came to be $12,000...I know... she is just a dog, but Gretel is not just a dog.
Gretel is my first dog that has been my sole responsibility, my first fur child. She was there when I met Owen, she was there for so many family events, she was there for the purchase of our first home, and most importantly, she was there to comfort me when I lost Owen in July of 2017. I am no stranger to loss. And all I could think all day in that parking lot was that I was about to lose yet another member of my family? I was just not ready to let her go yet. She has so much more life to live at the young age of 6. That Tuesday morning that we brought her in, she was still Gretel, personality and all. She had light in her eyes, and was happy to be around all the people that loved her, including her fur brother, Maverick. So no, Gretel is not just a dog, she is my family and truly my emotional support dog.
I made the decision to give her the surgery Tuesday night after 8 hours in the parking lot, countless tears, and a whole lot of stress. I decided that I was going to find a way to make it work. I know that Owen would have agreed with me because he loved Gretel just as much as I do.
I have been updated (Wednesday, August 26th) that the surgery went very well, they are keeping her for 3 days, and that they have tested her again for pain sensation in her back legs and she has regained feelings, which is VERY positive news for her recovery journey.
But this in not the end of Gretel's recovery. She still has a very long way to go. She is going to need physical therapy, both at a facility and at home to regain her ability to walk and function daily. This is on top of the surgery and I am her sole provider. The funds raised for her will be put towards the cost of the surgery and her after care.
I put a lot of thought into whether I wanted to make one of these for her. And I decided that the pros outweighed the cons. Any amount will help and I hold no expectations. Please do not donate if you are unable to, a simple share goes a long way as well. But any and all help is SO appreciated. I know there are so many people in my life that knew Owen and I and how much she meant to us. Gretel has also had an impact on many of those same people, and maybe even given you lots of stinky face kisses. Thank you again if you have taken the time to read this and thank you if you choose to share or donate. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Organizer
Jennifer Mathias
Organizer
Montgomery, NY