•••PLEASE SHARE CLYDE’S STORY•••

Hi there! I'm Clyde . . . my Mom is helping me with telling my story because I can't type very well [it's a thumb thing].

I love running and playing in my backyard with my sister, Bonnie. I was investigating the area where those trespassing deer like to sleep by our back fence and my neighbor's canine was let out.

WELL... I had to let him know that I was outside too, and sped over to the side fence line as fast as a racehorse. It took about 20 yards for me to realize something was wrong...something REALLY hurt!

When Mom called Bonnie and me up to the house, Mom and Dad got so upset - Mom was crying, and well, I was too!

I had caught my left back leg in some abandoned power wires the workers neglected to remove last November when they replaced the old lines. The wires were rusted and had clips on them that peeled my skin from my lower side and down my leg.

My regular veterinarian stitched me up as best as she could - the length of the gash was over 20 inches, Did I mention that I'm a Mastiff?

The first sutures on my haunch did not hold. Neither did the second. The third time we went to my doc, my parents were told that I needed surgery - specialist surgery because even the inside stitches were failing.

My parents took me and my sister on a long ride to a Mizzou's Veterinary Hospital. I was scared, but I was even more worried when Mom started crying, again.

The doctor told her that fixing my wound entirely at their facility was going to be 15,000 to $20,000. Mom asked for other options and was told that I needed open wound care for at least a week, then I would be reassessed to see how much repair was needed. I have an open 6 x 4-inch tear in my outside leg.

I had to trade my inflatable blue donut for a real cone. NOT a fan.

Mom and Dad had my wound cleaned, debrided, and a real cool web-like wound holding/closing sutures done at the University. They set up daily wound care with my regular vet...but I heard them say that I needed to go back to the University early next week for my surgery. I may need skin grafts to completely close my wound. Mom and Dad have already paid over $2500 - and my final fix could still be over $10,000,

I know chics dig scars and all....but I also really need help getting this wound fixed.

The University cannot provide even an estimate of final expenses to my folks. Mom and Dad are so scared that they won't be able to pay for the rest of my medical procedures.

All prayers are welcome and financial help in any amount is truly appreciated!

God bless.

[That was from Mom :-) ]