Pictures of my NEW leg!!!

I'm Getting Better Every Day!!!

Hello everyone! I wanted to let you know that I'm still doing well. I'm staying at my foster grandparents' home for a few more days. The doctor said I have to let them put ice on my leg to help with swelling. My grandma is really good at that. She talks to me and rubs my belly to help me stay calm and still while she takes care of me. While I've been here I've met two other dogs named Gabby and Angel. They like me a lot; but, of course I'm not allowed to play with them until I'm better. I do get to rub noses - I like that.

I've only been naughty one time. My first night here I pulled my grandma down in the yard. I saw a kitty and wanted to say hello to it. But, I've been careful not to do that anymore.

I wanted to show you some pictures of my leg. I know it looks kind of funny right now - I hope that doesn't bother anyone. But, it's getting better every day! It's already been almost 2 weeks! My foster mom is going to make my follow-up appointment at the hospital. As long as my right leg continues to heal, I will have my second surgery around mid to late January.

Thanks again everyone for all your thoughts and prayers! Keep them coming - I believe they're working :-) Also thanks for the donations. My foster family can't believe how much everyone is helping us!

XOXO,

Daisy

I'm Home!!!

Hello everyone! I finally talked my foster mom into letting me write a post. I just wanted to thank everyone for helping me and sending so many thoughts and prayers! I'm feeling much better now. Except that I want to play and my foster mom won't let me! I know, I know ... she says I have to be super careful with my leg or it won't heal the way it's supposed to. It's just so difficult to stay calm. I missed my foster brother and sister so much while I was at the hospital. I want to give them kisses and run around in the back yard like we did before. But, my foster mom is afraid I'll get hurt accidentally.

My leg hurts. My foster mom and dad, my aunt and my grandma have all been taking turns putting ice on my leg to help keep it from swelling anymore. I don't like that at all! But, I try to be good and hold still. I know they are only trying to help me. They also give me these things wrapped in cheese or peanut butter which make me feel better and help me sleep.

I'm staying with my foster grandpa and grandma for the weekend. They love me so much! I get lots of kisses and hugs from them. They have several funny little furry creatures that stare at me all the time. I think they're called cats - or something like that.

I'll included more pictures in my next post. This one was taken on my first night home from the hospital. I didn't really feel like having my picture taken but my foster mom said I had to.

Below I've posted a Christmas poem someone passed along to my foster mom. I hope every puppy out there gets a second chance like me ... that is my Christmas wish.

XOXO,

Daisy

On Christmas Morning..........I wish....

For every dog searching trash cans for breakfast, a filled bowl with his name printed in bright letters.

For every dog who slept fitfully last night, chained in a frozen yard, a soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every shelter dog, spending Christmas morning in a soiled run, a forever home, filled with sounds & smells of family.

For every "Christmas" puppy given today, a tolerant, caring owner who won't abandon you as you grow into a real dog.

For every ailing pet, enough money for your owner to pay the bills to make you well.

For every lost dog, a clear, safe road, and well marked path to lead you home.

For every old & tired friend, a warm fire, and a soft bed, to ease your aches and pains.

And for every dog at the Bridge, a moment when you know that you are remembered today, missed again, and loved forever.

Author unknown

Daisy is Home!

Daisy came home last night after being at UT for a week. She is doing very well. Her leg is swollen; but, it looks better than it did before surgery. I think the biggest improvement is in her elbow. I can't believe how much smaller it is. She had so much scar tissue that it was as big as a tennis ball. The surgeon cleaned it up as much as possible.

I feel so bad for Daisy. She has to wear a e-collar any time that I am not with her. She is not wearing a cast. The doctors wanted her to use her leg as soon as possible. They felt a cast would discourage her from doing that.

She has to have ice on her leg three times a day. That's an adventure! I can't believe this sweet dog just had such an invasive surgery and she is ready to run and play already! Of course she is not allowed to do that - which makes her recovery a challenge. Daisy has pain medication which seems to sedate her. She sleeps a lot.

I do have pictures of her that I hope to post later today. Please keep Daisy in your thoughts and prayers.

Daisy's Story

Daisy is a 1-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix. She was destined to be euthanized by her former family simply because she suffered from allergies. Sweet Daisy is lucky to be alive and she knows it. She came into our foster home at 10 months old hairless and scared. After a few weeks on a quality food and fish oil with vitamin E, Daisy doesn't even resemble the frail, timid creature she was previously.

When Daisy was only a few months old she was hit by a car. This accident left Daisy with two mangled front legs. One was badly fractured and the other suffered extensive soft tissue damage. Her previous owners refused to pay for the necessary surgery and treatment which may have restored Daisy's legs to normal. As a result, Daisy learned to live with her badly deformed and painful legs.

After visiting a local orthopedic specialist we learned that Daisy could benefit from surgery to correct her foreleg injuries. Daisy was referred to University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. The veterinarian at UT confirmed that surgery would greatly improve Daisy's quality of life and save her from an almost certain amputation of her right front leg in the years to come.

Daisy will undergo two surgeries. The first will correct her previously fractured right leg - the most badly damaged leg. During this surgery, the orthopedic surgeon will also try to correct some of the damage to her right elbow. The stress of her deformed forearm has put an unnatural strain on her elbow - causing severe pain, scar tissue and arthritis.

After six weeks of healing, Daisy will return to UT for surgery on her left leg. This leg suffered extensive soft tissue damage during the accident. Because of her young age when the accident occurred Daisy's growth plates were not closed. As a result, she has suffered permanent damage to the development and growth of her leg. The surgeon will need to repair her twisted forearm to alleviate the stress it is putting on her already weakened wrist.

Daisy's first surgery was completed on December 11, 2008. She is recovering nicely and will return to her foster home on December 17, 2008. I will update as soon as Daisy is back with us. The veterinarians at UT have told me what an angel Daisy has been! Just one day after her painful surgery she was trying to play. Daisy is definitely a trooper. I believe we can all learn something about forgiveness from this sweet girl.

Daisy's surgeries will be very expensive. The estimates range between $5,000 and $7,000 for both legs. Without them, Daisy will not be able to live the full, happy life she deserves. We are asking for help for this sweet girl. We are accepting donations to Daisy's PayPay account at help4daisy@gmail.com. Please pass her story on to your friends and family. We desperately want to show this gentle soul how wonderful life can be!