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Chance got his name from his foster Mom and Dad to signify his second chance for a good life. He was pulled from the Banning, California shelter on October 22nd, and immediately taken to the veterinarian for emergency surgery. He had a huge, grapefruit-sized hernia, was filthy, and at 41 pounds was severely underweight. Despite his condition, Chance’s gentle disposition was never compromised.

God only knows what this sweet boy has gone through since he didn’t even know how to eat out of a bowl when he was rescued. He is now learning quickly. Fortunately he is totally housetrained, gets along great with other dogs and cats, rides very well in the car, is fine with children, and is a model canine citizen with a mellow, low energy style. He never leaves his foster Mom’s side. Getting on the furniture or bed or counter surfing does not enter his mind.

Though the initial hernia surgery went well and he was healing, there were complications that required him to undergo a second, more invasive operation.  That was performed on November 13th, and he is recovering nicely, but is still under veterinary care.

Chance won’t be available for adoption until he is completely healed, but inquires and visitations are welcome. We would like to have a Forever Home waiting for him upon his full recovery. Chance is one very special boy who deserves a second chance to be treated with the love, kindness and devotion he truly deserves. He is a true diamond in the rough.

Update 14 NOV 07: I've spoken with Chance's surgeon several times today and Chance is doing very well. The doctor is still concerned about some swelling on Chance’s side surgery area. Chance is straining to try and go to the bathroom, which is a concern. The surgeon feels this may be force of habit, but if this continues it could cause damage to the internal sutures. They have done more x-rays and Chance is not impacted with fecal matter and things look good inside. The surgeon feels hopeful that when Chance finally has a normal bowel movement his habit of straining will cease. Chance is on antibiotics, an anti inflammatory, stool softeners, hot compresses, and pain medications in addition to being under constant surveillance. He is eating well and doing fine otherwise. He will more than likely be staying there another day or two.

Dr. Trostel has conferred with another surgeon and considers Chance’s status as guarded, but not critical. They did mention that Chance is a wonderful dog and they are doing everything in their power to provide the best care available. I knew that already, but it was comforting to hear. Dr. Trostel will do what he can to keep the costs down as much as possible without compromising Chance's care. Thank all of you who have donated towards his hospitalization and everyone's support thru this difficult time. Continue to keep Chance in your prayers.

Update 17 NOV 07: Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that Chance is now home from his surgery and hospital stay. We picked him up last night. I have never seen a dog so excited to see anyone as he did us. His little stub of a tail, along with his entire back end, was wiggling so much I thought it was going to shake off. All in all, the doctor said the surgery went well. There are still concerns about the surgical area, which is still somewhat swollen. He is also worried about him straining to go, and disrupt the surgical repair. Consequently he has prescribed stool softeners and a soft diet.
There is an area on the inside that could not be secured as well as the doctor would have liked. His condition, at this time, is listed as fair. It will take about a month or so to determine if the operation was a complete success, and if so, it will take another two months for total recuperation. We have to use hot compresses three times a day for 15 minutes each, along with three different types of medication, in our efforts to reduce the swelling, ward off infection, and allow for his recovery to be as pain free as possible.

What a good patient he is. The veterinary staff and doctors loved him. I honestly feel he knows we are his saving grace. When we got home, he actually ran around the yard, which he had NEVER done, and we had to subdue him as this is a no-no. He was SO HAPPY! 

We have a follow up visit to his surgeon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and I pray that things are progressing as well as they should be.

Update 02 DEC 07: He is doing as well as can be expected.We are adding a little bit of dry food to his diet. Chance's surgeon had hoped his swollen area would have gone down more than it did ,being the perfectionist that he is,but since he had had the hernia for so long,his butt will most probably protrude somewhat. He thinks it may go down a little more but it is unknown at this time. We're still doing  hot compresses but only twice a day instead of three times.When his hair fills out on the rear it may cover the area some. Chance is eating well and having normal bowel movement without much difficulty so as far as I'm concerned he is 100% better than when we pulled him from the shelter. Another 2 months will determine if the surgery was a total success. We have to watch his stools to make sure he doesn't strain as it could undo what has been accomplished. So far so good.He is still on stool softeners. His fur is starting to grow back and he is gaining weight. Our goal is 55 lbs and on his last visit on the 27th of Nov he weighed 47lbs. When we first got him his weight was 41lbs. The Dr. is happy with the results, but like I said he wished it could have turned out without the bubble butt effect. In closing,the fact that his hernia was so big and he had it for so long is the reason for the results being not what the doctor had hoped for ! Anyway Chance is a wonderful dog and worth all our efforts to make his life normal.He deserves all the care we can provide. Thank you all for your concern.

Update 12 JAN 08: His second surgery failed and yesterday,unfortunately, he went back for his third and final procedure. Yesterday evening around 7PM we received a call from his surgeon. Surgery was completed after 2 1/2 hrs.on the table.  Dr Trostel had researched all evening, the night prior to his surgery, for all avenues he could take to do all that was possible for Chance.His condition to begin with was a one of a kind because of the size of the hernia and the length of time it has been protruding. Everything inside was all stretched out causing a difficult closing of the area once his guts were placed back inside is little body. This is what he did this time.... First he tacked the colon and bladder in his abdominal area so it would stay in place and not cause problems down the road.Then he was rolled over and the second step was done The first piece of mess that was inserted during the previous operation, was covered over in scar tissue and held. This is good ! However his colon had found another path around it and was starting to bulge again.This is why the first/second surgery failed. He assured me he did ALL that is humanly possible adding maxium mesh material in hopes it also gets covered with scar tissue as well.He used leg muscle as a aid for securing the meshing. Everything possible was done ! We will call the hospital in the morning to see if he can come home. When he does ,it's back to the hot compresses and a lot of TLC.This surgery was more intrusive than anything that was done in the last two. All we can do is pray that this works. If not there is nothing more that can be done.If it fails again Chance will be in hospice with us until he needs to go to the bridge. I wish I could be more optimistic but time will tell. He may have to be on a soft diet forever to prevent another hernia from appearing Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

In closing, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you that have donated towards Chance's surgery.
God bless each and every one of you. Thanks to all his donors all his medical bills from all that has been done to him have been paid in full.

With positive thoughts,
Bill

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Contact: Bill & Gay Sterling Wmjsterling@aol.com

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CHANCE'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Deb & Bob Bessette	In memory of Bandit, Sparky, Nigel, Daisy Mae, Dolly, Coco, Brandy, Beanie, Duchess, Abbey, Brittany, and Pepper, who we loved and cherished until they went to Rainbow Bridge.
Cathryne Slaughter	Get well soon, Sweet Chance.  We are all pulling for you!
Monica and Ray Smith	Get well soon!  From another second "chance"!
The Donald R. Holmes Family	In memory of the Flanigan's Beloved Brandi.
Bill and Gay Sterling	In memory of Murphy, our first and forever-loved Springer.
Sue LeClair	In memory of Kelly and Patches.
Cathy Peters	In memory of all the Springers who didn't get the love, opportunity, and care that Chance is getting.  And for Brandi and April Lilly.
Pomela Flanigan	In memory of our beloved April Lilly, and Brandi Candi.
Anonymous in San Diego
Sherry and Victor Bardack	A gift for Gay and Bill Sterling -Our Springer Guardian Angels.
Carol Sanderson	Thank you, Bill and Gaye, for all you continue to do for our beloved Springers.
Megan Brown	From your Canadian Springer Rescue friends north of the border.
Randy & Mary Kertzman	In memory of Jake.
Jim Boshard	In memory of Niki. Chance does deserve all the help he can get. I am glad I can.
Mike & Sue Vlahos	The Sterling's are doing an outstanding job for all Spinger's they receive to care for.  We're proud to call them our friends.
Renee Villanueva	In memory of Sammy, my sweet boy, I miss you so much!! Get well soon Chance!!
Diane Westlake
Kathleen Engberg	In memory of all of my foster and adopted Springers --you are all loved.
Susan Kalis	In memory of Wiley Coyote, Duffy, and all the sweet pooches we love.
Pamela George	Big hug to Chance and the Sterlings, his guardian angels.
Susanne and John Follett	In memory of Jessi, the stray that was with us eleven years.
MWIII Partners LLC
Susan Moore	In memory of Spencer. God bless you Bill and Gay for giving this guy the medical attention so badly needed.  He looks like a sweet boy and deserves a wonderful Forever Home.  I only wish we could include him in our pack.
Anne Mele and John Duder	In memory of Garbo, Dana, and Fannie Mae.
Harry A Sterling Jr
Theresa Schaufer	In memory of Brandy, Elsie, Rachel, and Gus, who wait for us in God's loving care.
Sue Schulte	A gift for Bill and Gay, who are true heroes.
Barbara Zonfrilli	In memory of Peaches, Schotzie, Mandy, and Beau.
Katie Sanders	In memory of Beau.
Neil and Etta Barbanell	In memory of Kayla, our beloved previous Springer. Best wishes for a quick recovery, Chance, from the Barbanell family and Mattie, our new beloved Springer.
Don and Mary Turner	In memory of Freckles, Shasta, and Buddy.
Russ Davis	Get well soon!  You remind us so much of our Springer, Gracie.
Jamie and Ed Balazs
Steve Spiegl
Debbie Agee	In memory of my best friend Minnie.
Bob and Ann Foley
Lynda McCoy	In memory of Sally, Casey, Bubba, and Lucy.
Joanne Koegl
Donna Dell	In memory of my Scamp, and for my future memories with Ry. Get well soon!
Jerry and Pam Buck	In memory of Sassi, Pursie, Winston, and Millie.
Karen Barone	For Chance from Specs, that he may have a great as life as I do.
Elizabeth Poe	In memory of Strawberry, Emmy,, and Bud.
David Latimer and Glory	In memory of Holly and Kelly.
Mark and Pam Civile	In memory of Harry, Bubba, and Wilson.
Ed Mashman	To Chance, from your friends Cassie and Luke.
Fredda Fox	In memory of Frisky, Zando, Scherzo, and Morgan.
Caryn Pola	To Bill and Gay, in honor of your service to ESRA and your love of Springers. Bless you both and big kisses for Chance.
Darlene Cross
Pete and Barbara Brunelli	From Winston, who used to be called Chippy. May all dogs have a happy home.
Gary and Margaret Hanes
Mary Henthorn	In memory of MY LITTLE LADY.
Diane Eye	A gift for Bill and Gay's hard work.
Terry and Belle Sprague	Get well soon.
Linda Lintz	In memory of Paulie Westrick (Special Needs Springer), passed to Rainbow Bridge 9/30/2007... we love you Paulie!
Elizabeth Ward	In memory of my parents' two sweet girls, April Lilly and Brandi.
Kipling Rowe	In memory of Delta Rowe. Hang in there Chance! With Love.
Sandi Blake	In memory of Bambi, and all of my beloved Springers.
Monica Fehn	This is one lucky Springer to be fostered by Bill and Gay Sterling. Get well soon, beautiful boy!
Christopher & Pomela Flanigan
Bobby Harris
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, and Brady.
Lester & Mary Dement
Stanley McClaskey
Mike Vlahos LLC            Gerbing's Heated Clothing	In memory of Lacey. Thanks for the great job you're doing, including the Sterlings in San Jacinto, CA.
Judy Hansen	In memory of the best dog ever, Montana. This is a gift to William Sterling.
Bill Crigger
Benjamin Stein &           Alexandra Denman
Sandra Blake
Lori Tillman	Get well soon Chance. ESRA will find you THE forever home, just for you, like they did for my Belle. Love and miss you, Doodle Belle, Happy B`Day 12/06.
Robin Nordhoff	In memory of my dad's dog, Buddy.
Brian Wilson
Frank and Bonnie Mathis
Susan Wilson
Merrie Corbett	In memory of Lady Beth Barrister, my very first dog.
Jutta Fischenich	In memory of Minnie.