Everyone meet Rowan, my sweet, vivacious, spunky golden/lab mix! Rowan has been through a lot in his life and desperately needs some help to get back to the life he has just learned how to love. Here is his story!
Rowan is a sweet, spunky, happy lab mix who has been through more in his short life than anyone could ever imagine. In 2015, Rowan was pulled from death row at Franklin County Dog Shelter. He was not an adoption candidate because he was too scared in the shelter environment. He was skinny, his face scratched and torn and he just laid on the ground and shook. The second I saw his sad, scared eyes I vowed to do everything in my power to show him that the world could be a happy place. With the help of a local rescue we pulled him from the shelter. We believe he was used as a bait dog or used for breeding in a puppy mill as his face was covered in scabs and scars. We also discovered he had two bullets lodged inside him. He didn’t know what toys were, what treats were and he didn’t know what love was. Rowan had clearly been through so much trauma but despite what he had been through, his sweet spirit began to emerge. He began to seek attention and cuddles, began to play with his doggo brother and friends and learned to absolutely love walks, runs and hikes through the woods. It has not been an easy road but Rowan has blossomed into a happy, goofy, thriving dog.
In 2018 Rowan was diagnosed with CUPS, a disease that causes his teeth to decay faster than normal. As a result he needs twice annual dental cleanings. He also suffered another major set-back when he was diagnosed with Addison's Disease that did not respond to first line therapies. His emergency care, and follow-up care cost me $15,000 and completely exhausted all of my financial resources, however Rowan was able to return to his normal life once stabilized. I had no idea what was yet to come.
Last month Rowan was dealt another devastating blow. While hiking, Rowan fell and severely injured his paw. He was taken to Ohio State and diagnosed with torn ligaments in his metatarsal-phalangeal joint. This injury is incredibly rare and devastating without proper treatment and it causes Rowan daily pain. His vet at Ohio State feels that Rowan’s best chance of returning to his active life is a custom orthotic brace, followed by surgical repair. The vet is concerned that surgery is becoming urgent as the condition of his paw has continued to deteriorate. The cost of this treatment will not be cheap and reaches far beyond the resources that I have left. Due to his Addison'd Disease and the rarity of his injury, he must be seen at OSU and they require all payments be maid up front. The custom brace will be $1200 and cannot be made until the bill is paid in full and then he will need a $3,000 surgery following the arrival of the brace and physical therapy after. Any help and donations would be so greatly appreciated. I never thought I would be in this position but I am out of options. He is an amazing pup who deserves a life of pure happiness! Even though he is in severe pain he is so gentle and loving with everyone. Thank you so much for considering! If you can't donate please share his story. Thank you!
(Orthopets has received the mold of his paw but can not proceed with making the brace until his invoice in paid in full)
(The injury causes severe splaying outward of his paw. This deformed positioning also causes the inside of his paw to drag on the ground which has led to an ulcer on the inside of the paw)
(A better view of his paw next to his "normal" paw. Due to the injury, he is unable to hold the injured paw in a normal position)
(He doesn't let a few missing teeth stop him from smiling)
(Rowan in his happy place along the river prior to his injury)
(Rowan, called Freddy in the shelter. He's aged a bit since those days but definitely isn't shut down anymore)
(Rowan's opinion of his activity restrictions)
(Rowan s frequently seen smiling)
Rowan is a sweet, spunky, happy lab mix who has been through more in his short life than anyone could ever imagine. In 2015, Rowan was pulled from death row at Franklin County Dog Shelter. He was not an adoption candidate because he was too scared in the shelter environment. He was skinny, his face scratched and torn and he just laid on the ground and shook. The second I saw his sad, scared eyes I vowed to do everything in my power to show him that the world could be a happy place. With the help of a local rescue we pulled him from the shelter. We believe he was used as a bait dog or used for breeding in a puppy mill as his face was covered in scabs and scars. We also discovered he had two bullets lodged inside him. He didn’t know what toys were, what treats were and he didn’t know what love was. Rowan had clearly been through so much trauma but despite what he had been through, his sweet spirit began to emerge. He began to seek attention and cuddles, began to play with his doggo brother and friends and learned to absolutely love walks, runs and hikes through the woods. It has not been an easy road but Rowan has blossomed into a happy, goofy, thriving dog.
In 2018 Rowan was diagnosed with CUPS, a disease that causes his teeth to decay faster than normal. As a result he needs twice annual dental cleanings. He also suffered another major set-back when he was diagnosed with Addison's Disease that did not respond to first line therapies. His emergency care, and follow-up care cost me $15,000 and completely exhausted all of my financial resources, however Rowan was able to return to his normal life once stabilized. I had no idea what was yet to come.
Last month Rowan was dealt another devastating blow. While hiking, Rowan fell and severely injured his paw. He was taken to Ohio State and diagnosed with torn ligaments in his metatarsal-phalangeal joint. This injury is incredibly rare and devastating without proper treatment and it causes Rowan daily pain. His vet at Ohio State feels that Rowan’s best chance of returning to his active life is a custom orthotic brace, followed by surgical repair. The vet is concerned that surgery is becoming urgent as the condition of his paw has continued to deteriorate. The cost of this treatment will not be cheap and reaches far beyond the resources that I have left. Due to his Addison'd Disease and the rarity of his injury, he must be seen at OSU and they require all payments be maid up front. The custom brace will be $1200 and cannot be made until the bill is paid in full and then he will need a $3,000 surgery following the arrival of the brace and physical therapy after. Any help and donations would be so greatly appreciated. I never thought I would be in this position but I am out of options. He is an amazing pup who deserves a life of pure happiness! Even though he is in severe pain he is so gentle and loving with everyone. Thank you so much for considering! If you can't donate please share his story. Thank you!
(Orthopets has received the mold of his paw but can not proceed with making the brace until his invoice in paid in full)(The injury causes severe splaying outward of his paw. This deformed positioning also causes the inside of his paw to drag on the ground which has led to an ulcer on the inside of the paw)(A better view of his paw next to his "normal" paw. Due to the injury, he is unable to hold the injured paw in a normal position)(He doesn't let a few missing teeth stop him from smiling)(Rowan in his happy place along the river prior to his injury)(Rowan, called Freddy in the shelter. He's aged a bit since those days but definitely isn't shut down anymore)(Rowan's opinion of his activity restrictions)(Rowan s frequently seen smiling)