Elsie's Therapy
Donation protected
Hi Everyone! My name is Elsie. You probably already know me from social media or my art or my ACC PSA Campaigns or Movie Monday or my travels...I've been busy! And hopefully I've made you smile and laugh or inspired you or changed your opinion for the better about shelter dogs and pitbulls. Maybe you've even met me in person/dog since I'm a social butterfly!
If we're meeting for the first time, this is a very brief bio...I was bred, then dumped, then picked up as a stray in 2006. I went to Animal Care and Control of NYC, ended up on the euthanasia list,
was saved by a volunteer who made some phone calls and found me a foster. Then I found a home in June 2006!
Since then I've survived breast cancer, had double aural hematoma surgeries, a toe amputated for a troublesome cyst, another tumor at the base of my tail operated on and two dental surgeries! I've taken all 9 surgeries in stride (and still go willingly to all vet appointments!!) and my person has kept up with all my health issues.
Now I'm 15 years old and several months ago partially tore my CCL so had to get a knee brace because doing surgery again at this age is just too much, even for me. I was making great progress with my brace and swimming at a friend's pool this past summer, which helped soooo much but once winter came my arthritis flared up awful. Sometimes I couldn't even stand. But my appetite is great and my will is strong so I started physical therapy at Animal Medical Center in NYC and the treatments, which include cold laser therapy, massages and underwater treadmill exercise have worked wonders!
I need to keep doing it in order to stay mobile but it's expensive and with all the supplements and medications I'm on it will be difficult for my person to sustain long-term, even though I have no plans on leaving this earth any time soon ;)
To give you an idea of cost-one 50 minute therapy session (includes cold laser and water therapy) is $150, which I need once a week. We got a 6 session package which just ran out but my person is no way letting me relapse so we're going to get 6 more weeks and hope that with your help we can go beyond that for as long as I need and feel up to it.
We were also doing acupuncture for the last year every other week at $80 a session. We had to skip that expense when I started the therapy but my shoulders really need it.
I have an awesome doggie ride stroller that my person uses to walk me the 2 miles each way to the therapy so we have zero expense for transportation and that helps a lot! My person also carries my 50lbs up and down 22 stairs through 5 doors 4 times a day so her arms and legs are getting stronger to make up for mine getting weaker. We really are a great team! But even the best of teams needs help every now and then.
I also take rimadyl, Amantidine, Nordic Naturals, and Dasaquin Advanced every day and get an Adequan injection every week. Everything helps to keep inflammation down and keep me as pain free as possible so I can keep moving, which helps prevent atrophy, stiffness and more pain.
You only live once and I've given this life my all, which you can see through all my projects on Facebook and Instagram. Now my person is doing her best to keep me comfy in my old age and all funds will go directly to my therapy and medical care so my quality of life can be maintained for as long as I want to be here. I hope to celebrate my 10th Adoptaversary on June 19!
I am so thankful already for all the people I have met and given me such love. I love all people! No matter my past or how I feel, the attention of people always brings a wag to my tail. Thank you so much for helping me in this last stage of my journey, I hope to make it a nice long, comfy one :)
love, Elsie
PS They made me set a goal so I picked a number that could get me to summer but if we raise $40,000 I could buy my own underwater treadmill! Just sayin' :)
If we're meeting for the first time, this is a very brief bio...I was bred, then dumped, then picked up as a stray in 2006. I went to Animal Care and Control of NYC, ended up on the euthanasia list,
was saved by a volunteer who made some phone calls and found me a foster. Then I found a home in June 2006!
Since then I've survived breast cancer, had double aural hematoma surgeries, a toe amputated for a troublesome cyst, another tumor at the base of my tail operated on and two dental surgeries! I've taken all 9 surgeries in stride (and still go willingly to all vet appointments!!) and my person has kept up with all my health issues.
Now I'm 15 years old and several months ago partially tore my CCL so had to get a knee brace because doing surgery again at this age is just too much, even for me. I was making great progress with my brace and swimming at a friend's pool this past summer, which helped soooo much but once winter came my arthritis flared up awful. Sometimes I couldn't even stand. But my appetite is great and my will is strong so I started physical therapy at Animal Medical Center in NYC and the treatments, which include cold laser therapy, massages and underwater treadmill exercise have worked wonders!
I need to keep doing it in order to stay mobile but it's expensive and with all the supplements and medications I'm on it will be difficult for my person to sustain long-term, even though I have no plans on leaving this earth any time soon ;)
To give you an idea of cost-one 50 minute therapy session (includes cold laser and water therapy) is $150, which I need once a week. We got a 6 session package which just ran out but my person is no way letting me relapse so we're going to get 6 more weeks and hope that with your help we can go beyond that for as long as I need and feel up to it.
We were also doing acupuncture for the last year every other week at $80 a session. We had to skip that expense when I started the therapy but my shoulders really need it.
I have an awesome doggie ride stroller that my person uses to walk me the 2 miles each way to the therapy so we have zero expense for transportation and that helps a lot! My person also carries my 50lbs up and down 22 stairs through 5 doors 4 times a day so her arms and legs are getting stronger to make up for mine getting weaker. We really are a great team! But even the best of teams needs help every now and then.
I also take rimadyl, Amantidine, Nordic Naturals, and Dasaquin Advanced every day and get an Adequan injection every week. Everything helps to keep inflammation down and keep me as pain free as possible so I can keep moving, which helps prevent atrophy, stiffness and more pain.
You only live once and I've given this life my all, which you can see through all my projects on Facebook and Instagram. Now my person is doing her best to keep me comfy in my old age and all funds will go directly to my therapy and medical care so my quality of life can be maintained for as long as I want to be here. I hope to celebrate my 10th Adoptaversary on June 19!
I am so thankful already for all the people I have met and given me such love. I love all people! No matter my past or how I feel, the attention of people always brings a wag to my tail. Thank you so much for helping me in this last stage of my journey, I hope to make it a nice long, comfy one :)
love, Elsie
PS They made me set a goal so I picked a number that could get me to summer but if we raise $40,000 I could buy my own underwater treadmill! Just sayin' :)
Organizer
Elsie DeWolf
Organizer
New York, NY
