Obi's Surgery & Recovery Fund

On August 27th, 2019, we got a call from the SPCA in regards to an adoption application we had filled out a few weeks prior. It turned out that the sweet, fuzzy-faced little boy that we had applied to bring home was having complications after a pediatric neuter surgery. They were calling everyone who had applied for him, just to see if they would like to withdraw their application, due to the "trouble".

We were one of the only families who wouldn't withdraw, and on August 31st, I excitedly drove the hour to go pick up our newest addition!

When I arrived at the rescue, I handed his new collar & leash to one of the employees, and waited impatiently while they went to the back to get him. In minutes, I was locking eyes with one of the newest loves of my life, our soon to be named Obi Wan!

I fought off tears as I noticed the collar sagging around his thin neck, the ribs showing through his thick coat... and the nervousness that told me someone had failed to love him.

 

It took nearly 6 months of hard work, dedication, unconditional love (and of course a puppy obedience course) before we began to see Obi's walls break down. He realized around then that he wasn't ever going to be without a home or family again, so his trust grew deeper and his fears began to fade away.

 

On May the 4th, 2021- Obi celebrated his 2nd birthday.

Though still very young, we were beginning to notice that he was having a harder time getting up from his bed. His back legs would often crack and pop and he dragged himself to his feet, and we could see the weakness in his hips and joints often causing him to struggle for the first few steps.

We learned that because Obi was neutered at a very young age, especially being a giant breed who needs longer than most dogs to fully develop & grow, that he was at high risk for hip dysplasia & all other back leg issues, even at a young age.

 

We hoped that exercise in the form of walks & jogging would help to strengthen his legs, and give him more of a fighting chance to thrive.

 

Fast-forward 7 months passed his 2nd birthday, on Tuesday Nov. 23rd, Obi enjoyed a walk around the dog park with his dad & little fur-sister Luna. As always, he had a blast greeting & running around with the other dogs for awhile, as well as sniffing / peeing on every tree and sapling in sight.

Though he was rightfully tired after his outing, he greeted his kids and mom when they came home later that evening, as usual, and had a seemingly normal evening.

 

On Wednesday Nov. 24th, we came downstairs in the morning to start making breakfast, but when Obi tried to get up to greet us, very quickly noticed that his left back leg appeared to be asleep. He was tripodding around for a little bit, but the leg never "woke up".

He wasn't acting as though he was in pain, so we inspected the foot, rotated and extended the leg, and couldn't figure out what could be wrong.

We were finally able to get him into the vet the following day, Thursday Nov. 25th, where we received the gut-wrenching news that our fears about his back legs were coming to fruition. Through a physical exam and radiograph, they determined that it looks as though he has torn his Cruciate Ligament. Because of his size / weight, he requires a surgery (known as a TPLO Procedure) to fully recover, and lesson his chances of reinjury, or injury to the other back leg due to compensation.

 

Our hearts are broken over the thought of our gentle, adventurous, and still-very-young boy losing his quality of life due to what was likely an avoidable injury. Unfortunately, our immense desire to give him the best quality of life isn't enough to cover the cost of his procedure & recovery.

We are exhausting all of our financial options right now, but know that the longer we wait, the higher risk he becomes for losing the ability to use his other back leg as well :(

 

We chose to rescue this big boy, and therefore the responsibility to take care of him falls completely on us. We are very humbled, and don't expect to raise the full amount, but with the money we have already put into his tests / medication, along with having 3 kids and Christmas being just around the corner, we have come to the point of needing to ask our loved ones for some support.

 

We can't thank you enough for taking the time to read this, and for contributing in any way that you can! Even sharing Obi's story will help to make a difference!

 

From the bottom of our hearts- Thank you

Love: Miranda, Jose, Judah, Colby, Aliah,

Luna & of course, Obi Wan <3