Thank you to everyone that has been following Pinero's story, I appreciate you. For everyone that is new to his story "welcome."
Pinero is an 8yr old American Cocker Spaniel who started the first years of his life as an amazing, fun, carefree pup. He was too special. Everyone enjoyed Pinero's presence. From there I knew Pinero had a purpose. WIth the proper training and certifications, Pinero dedicating his days to those who suffered from terminal illness or were simply recovering from major surgery in major NYC hospitals as a Therapy Dog...But now it's Pinero's turn.
As he has gotten older, I noticed certain things that weren't "normal." Attacking the problem immediately, I was able to help keep Pinero's disease suppressed, but over time, simple pain management is no longer the best choice for a comfortable life. Pinero suffers from Degenerative Disk Disease. He has a slipped disk in the cervical portion of his vertebrae (neck area). Over the past 2-3 years, as his condition has gotten worse, I have tried to maintain the inflammation and pain with minimal invasive treatments such as medication therapy, physical therapy, injections, laser, dry needle acupuncture and most recently electrotherapy acupuncture. It has come to a point where the disc is putting too much pressure on his spinal cord leaving him not able to hold his own weight and when he can to go outside, he walks "drunk" and falls over. If conditions of this nature are left alone for too long once this severe, paralysis can occur.
We have found an amazing neurologist who said that it is time to perform the necessary surgery on Pinero, which will give him relief and a comfortable, pain-free, normal (yet tranquil) lifestyle. As with any surgery, this procedure will need to begin with the proper imaging so that they can be surgically precise when operating. An MRI was to be performed tomorrow, (11/24/15) but unfortunately, do to the rapid decline in his body's will to get better, Pinero will need to be rushed in today (11/23/15) to begin the process to a life of normal walking and pain free days.
Pinero is my life. My furbaby, my child, my everything and it breaks my heart to see him live such an immobile & painful life. Having just celebrated his 8th Birthday on 11/21/15, I promised Pinero to continue to do anything necessary to make him feel better. I wil not give up on him. Up until this point, I have done everything I could to manage his pain and condition, but the time as finally come to rely on surgical relief. I am asking if everyone could kindly PLEASE donate at least $1 toawrds helping Pinero walk again & live comfortably. His surgery in combination with his MRI and post-op hospital stay & treatments will cost at least $6,000. Every dollar counts and we (Pinero & I) couldn't be more thankful.
I will be posting the progress and updates on Pinero's Facebook Page (Pinero's World - Therapy/Service Dog) as well as his instagram @PinerosWorld. This will help you stay abreast with your donation and also allow you to see how far it has helped him come. It will also allow us to interact incase you have any questions regarding Pinero's condition just out of curiousity or maybe you have a dog going through the same thing and you dont know what to do. I am hoping that Pinero's story will not only make him well again, but that it will help bring awareness to such a cause that other pups may be suffering from.
Thank you so so very much!
Paws & Kisses
Pinero is an 8yr old American Cocker Spaniel who started the first years of his life as an amazing, fun, carefree pup. He was too special. Everyone enjoyed Pinero's presence. From there I knew Pinero had a purpose. WIth the proper training and certifications, Pinero dedicating his days to those who suffered from terminal illness or were simply recovering from major surgery in major NYC hospitals as a Therapy Dog...But now it's Pinero's turn.
As he has gotten older, I noticed certain things that weren't "normal." Attacking the problem immediately, I was able to help keep Pinero's disease suppressed, but over time, simple pain management is no longer the best choice for a comfortable life. Pinero suffers from Degenerative Disk Disease. He has a slipped disk in the cervical portion of his vertebrae (neck area). Over the past 2-3 years, as his condition has gotten worse, I have tried to maintain the inflammation and pain with minimal invasive treatments such as medication therapy, physical therapy, injections, laser, dry needle acupuncture and most recently electrotherapy acupuncture. It has come to a point where the disc is putting too much pressure on his spinal cord leaving him not able to hold his own weight and when he can to go outside, he walks "drunk" and falls over. If conditions of this nature are left alone for too long once this severe, paralysis can occur.
We have found an amazing neurologist who said that it is time to perform the necessary surgery on Pinero, which will give him relief and a comfortable, pain-free, normal (yet tranquil) lifestyle. As with any surgery, this procedure will need to begin with the proper imaging so that they can be surgically precise when operating. An MRI was to be performed tomorrow, (11/24/15) but unfortunately, do to the rapid decline in his body's will to get better, Pinero will need to be rushed in today (11/23/15) to begin the process to a life of normal walking and pain free days.
Pinero is my life. My furbaby, my child, my everything and it breaks my heart to see him live such an immobile & painful life. Having just celebrated his 8th Birthday on 11/21/15, I promised Pinero to continue to do anything necessary to make him feel better. I wil not give up on him. Up until this point, I have done everything I could to manage his pain and condition, but the time as finally come to rely on surgical relief. I am asking if everyone could kindly PLEASE donate at least $1 toawrds helping Pinero walk again & live comfortably. His surgery in combination with his MRI and post-op hospital stay & treatments will cost at least $6,000. Every dollar counts and we (Pinero & I) couldn't be more thankful.
I will be posting the progress and updates on Pinero's Facebook Page (Pinero's World - Therapy/Service Dog) as well as his instagram @PinerosWorld. This will help you stay abreast with your donation and also allow you to see how far it has helped him come. It will also allow us to interact incase you have any questions regarding Pinero's condition just out of curiousity or maybe you have a dog going through the same thing and you dont know what to do. I am hoping that Pinero's story will not only make him well again, but that it will help bring awareness to such a cause that other pups may be suffering from.
Thank you so so very much!
Paws & Kisses