Rescue Snow needs your help for vital PTLO surgery

Snows recovery continues. She is now allowed to be with the other dogs and we have short lead walks twice a day. She desperately wants to run but I'm being strict. If her recovery continues this well, she will be posted for adoption in January 2024.

This is the story of Snow! Found as a stray on the island of Zante in Greece, Snow was in danger of being poisoned. She was so frightened of people, that she had to be trapped. This was back in 2019 and she stayed at the shelter, hiding in her kennel, too frightened to come out. Snow stayed at the Zante Strays shelter until 2021, when I offered to foster her. She was too traumatised to offer up for adoption. She needed to have the right person with a pack of dogs to help her. I wanted to be that person to help her overcome her fears and learn to trust humans. Sadly as she was getting her vet checks ready for her trip to the UK, Snow was diagnosed with Leishmaniasis. This is a significant disease and the decision was made that she needed specialist treatment, so she was sent to a dog behaviourist Jo Cottrell to get her stable. Whilst there she started the process of getting to trust people by being in foster with Kate for a while, being socialised and learning that going on walks was fun! After such a long wait, Snow finally made her way to us in June 2023. She started to play with my crew, make eye contact and let me stroke her. The future was looking good until 31-8-23, when (whilst off lead in a secure field) she ruptured her cruciate ligament. This is a serious injury, which needs specialist surgery and will have a long road to recovery, but I'm ready for the long haul. Because Snow is a foster and in the care of a charity, she is not insured. Whilst the charity (Zante Strays) want her to have the best care, they have limited funds and so many other dogs who need their help. So I'm asking you, if you want to join me in making a difference to one dogs life? I'm raising money in aid of Snows surgery (Zante Strays) and every donation, no matter how small, will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. If you are unable to donate money, then please send your positive thoughts and prayers to Snow, as she needs our combined help so badly. Thank you so much, Yvette (Wags on Water)

Snow hiding in her kennel at the shelter in Zante. Zante Strays is a dedicated all-volunteer animal rescue. We are passionate about helping the wonderful, friendly stray & abandoned dogs of Zante (Zakynthos) Island, Greece. We rescue, provide veterinary treatment (inc neutering), foster & find loving homes in the UK, Germany/Holland.

These extraordinary strays are dumped in rubbish bins or up mountains, shot, starved or left living on the streets. Kind tourists feed them in summer then locals poison them in the autumn-spring. In spite of all they suffer, these dogs still trust & love people.

Update 9-9-23. Snow is on pain meds, which are keeping her comfortable. We hope to get a date for surgery and a breakdown of the costs, on Monday and will let you all know ASAP. For now she is being the sweetest patient, she is tolerating well, the loss of walks on grass and the enforced rest. She is still enjoying her food and sunbathing on the aft deck of the barge with the crew. We have lots of rubber mats down on the floor and deck to ensure she doesn't slip and we supervise her going up and down the one step in the barge. All in all she is coping with her injury better than I am! Regards Yvette.

Update 13-9-23. Today we are at the vets getting blood tests to rule out Leishmaniasis as the source of Snows lameness. Although a vet has diagnosed a ruptured cruciate, we need to be 100% sure it isn't the Leishmaniasis rearing it's ugly head as well. Snow has never shown any symptoms plus she looks really well, but its better to be cautious. We will also get an x ray booked to confirm any cruciate injury.

Snow isnt a difficult foster dog to care for, in fact she is a sweetheart. Its still my aim to find this timid little love a forever home, but first we have to get over the current obstacle. For now, Snow is comfortable on her pain meds and residing in my guest cabin, where I can chat to her, as I sit at my desk checking on the GoFundMe. From me and Snow, thank you to all the lovely people who have donated, sent messages, prayers and positive thoughts to us in Suffolk UK. Yvette

Update 16-9-23. Some of Snows blood results are back, and showing that her injury is not due to a flare up in her Leishmaniasis. This is comforting to know. She is back on her Allopurinol medication as stress is known to increase the chances of a Leishmaniasis flare up. We have the results of one blood test to wait for, then we can get her to the orthopaedic specialist. Snow remains comfortable (if somewhat frustrated) as she is not coming out on walks with the crew. If anyone would like to follow Snow's story, please check into our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/piratewoof

Update 22-9-23. We are still waiting for results from Snows blood tests. It's very frustrating but she is doing OK. She hates being left behind when we go on walks, but she still gets to spend time with the rest of the dogs during the day. Fingers crossed we get our surgery date soon

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Update 28-9-23. We have the final blood results and an appointment has been booked on 6-10-23 to see the orthopaedic surgeon and surgery will happen the following week.

Update 20-10-23. Snow had her surgery on the 19-10-23 and is now home and recovering. She had also damaged her meniscus (after the original injury) so there was some additional work to do. She now has a titanium plate and is on a strict rest regime for a month. Thank you for all the good wishes we have recieved. Love Yvette and Snow.

Update 27-10-23. Snow has been given a post surgery wound check up at the vets. They are very happy with how the leg is looking and there is no swelling which is excellent news. Snow got a new smaller cone which will make life easier for her. This has to stay on for another week, plus continued strict rest regime. During the day I sit with Snow and share treats. She also likes her knotted tea towels which I hide kibble in, so she can snuffle them out. I've also found she loves peanut butter on a lick mat. She also gets to interact through the gate with the other dogs. Our toileting regime is also working after a bumpy start. I didn't want to risk a slip on the pontoon, so Snow has had to adjust to going to the toilet on a puppy pad. She didn't like this intially as (she has always been clean inside) but we now have a routine which is working. She pees straight after breakfast at approx 7.30 to 8.00am. She poops at lunchtime and has another pee between 6.00 and 8.00pm. She is regular as clockwork! As good as this is, I can't wait until she can walk a bit more and go toilet outside. But all in all its been alot easier than I expected, given the serious nature of her injury.