Save Hank's Leg!

My name is Merissa and I am raising money for Hank, a three-legged dog who has the potential to be a four legged dog, once again!

Hank is a 6 year old pug-Chihuahua mix, for short we will call him a Chug. For anyone who had the pleasure to meet Hank, knows what an amazing little dog he is. He is so loving, so trusting, so cuddly, and just the best dog around. Hank's friendly nature is amazing despite the past he had to endure, stemming from a previous life of abuse, which left him with broken bones and the loss of his back right leg. His life was hard and the badly broken bones never received medical attention. He was left to suffer in pain. It is amazing how this little dog didn't let that bring him down. With his back leg completely broken and not repaired, he just made do with it. 

A year after this horrific event that took place in Hank's life, by Gods will, Hank was brought into our life as he was moments away from being put to sleep. My fiancé and I could not let that happen and had to take him to our home and give him the love he needed to feel. When we first brought Hank home, all I could do was cry looking at this innocent little dog hobble around on three legs. I just couldn't imagine why anyone would ever hurt him, why they would abuse him, and HOW after they broke his bones, just let him sit there in agony and pain for most likely months. His back leg just hung there. I was just worried he was in pain, even as he was running around smiling. I took him into the vet and was told the only option was to amputate his leg or just let it be. I was told the bone had already fused in a place that could not be repaired. I was assured he was not in ANY pain anymore and we were fine to leave his leg. This is where Hank got the name "Stanky Leg". Hank Stanky Leg Stevens. :) His leg just hung there and people would always stare and when they would dare ask, I just say he had a hard life but he's happy now.  And he was. He was the happiest dog in the world. He brought us SO MUCH JOY!

Hank was a part of our family for three years and sadly we had to rehome him due to the birth of our child. Hank was always my baby and could not handle another baby taking his place. It was one of the hardest decisions of my entire life and the days leading up to the day I had to say goodbye were the worst.  I knew Hank would be going to the best home he could possibly be in. My co-worker, a single mother to a 7 year old boy, were so excited to welcome Hank into their home. 

Hank has been with his new family for over a year. He has completely bonded with them and is so loved and adored. He is the light of their life’s and gets to sleep in bed with his 7 year old brother every night! He is living the best life ever! Recently Hank's "good" back leg has been buckling and his new mom, Amanda took him into the vet for an exam. They discovered his only good back leg may be getting weaker and may suffer from arthritis. This is devastating as Hank relies on that leg to be mobile. The bright side of this news was the glimmer of hope that his stanky leg might be able to be repaired! Amanda took him to a orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation on his leg. Even with other vets telling us the leg was irreparable, she finally got a positive solution. HANK'S LEG CAN BE SAVED! Apparently the bone HAS NOT fused and is just "floating “around. The surgery to repair his leg involves shaving down the bone, pinning it, and stretching the muscle. This is about a six week recovery time. 

Hank is the perfect candidate for this surgery. With his happy go lucky demeanor, his active personality, and overall strong will that has saved his life, he will be able to run on all four legs again! Even though Hank is not technically my dog anymore, I love him so much and want the best possible life for him. 

The money collected here will go directly to expense of Hank's leg surgery, provided by Columbia River Veterinary Specialists.