Lena – Greensboro, NC
ESRA Special Needs Springer
ESRA #2009-0093SC
Age: 2 years
Gender: Female
Color: Black/White
Hi, I’m Lena. Want to know more about my “special needs?” My new foster family immediately knew that something was not right with the way I limped and that my ears really smelled bad. When they took me to the vet, the nice vet said that in addition to needing the full heartworm treatment and to be spayed, I also have a severe ear infection, hookworms and the beginning of a yeast infection in my paws. I really need to get rid of the ear infection and the hookworms right away so I can get stronger for the other needed treatments. All these medicines help but sure are yucky to take.
X-rays show that I have a
severe trauma to my right leg and hip which has healed on its own incorrectly. With the help of an orthopedic procedure
called FHO I should be as good as new. I could run and jump to chase the squirrels just like I watch my sisters doing now. I
really liked that idea, so I asked the rescue group to please help pay for all of this treatment since I am really still just
a puppy at about 2 years old. I want to have a long and happy life with a forever family in the future.
So, won’t you PLEASE help me get well by sending a donation for my vet care? I hear my people talking about the bad economy right now and I don’t really know what that means, but my foster mommy told me that if lots of people would send in even just a small amount of money to help, then the money would soon add up to be enough to pay all of my vet bills. You don’t have to have lots of money to help me, just lots of love in your heart to send any amount you can. I would really appreciate that because there are lots of squirrels and birds in this world that I want to be able to chase eventually.
Sincerely,
Lena (named after my foster mommy’s grandmother)
UPDATE 2/27/09 from Ms.
Lena herself: Hi, guys! This is Lena again to tell you about my FHO surgery that I had in mid-February ago. During
surgery, the vet was surprised to find a bone fragment floating around that had not shown up in any of the X-rays and he told
me that bone fragment alone really caused a lot of pain, in addition to my injury. He said that I must have been hit by a car
when I was a very young puppy because my femur stopped growing and my pelvis was also damaged, so that leg will always be a
bit shorter than the other leg and I will always have a slight limp. He also says that I have some hip dysplasia in my good
hip so I need to always take care of it to stay healthy and active.
After the surgery, I only hopped around on my 3 good legs at first, but my foster mom makes me walk slowly and tells me to "put that leg down!" I have gradually started using it more and more every day and today I was able to jump up in my foster dad’s lap for he first time. He was so excited since he knew that meant my leg is getting stronger. Now I just need to exercise daily and build up my muscle mass in that hind leg so that it gets stronger and closer to the same size as my other hind leg. We"re going to try out something called water therapy at the vet where my human foster sister works.
Next I need to start my heartworm treatments which will take a few months. THEN, finally, they say that I should be able to run around and chase the squirrels and birds like my 2 foster sisters do. I'm really looking forward to that and hope that I can have fun once it gets warm weather.
Sincerely,
Lena
UPDATE 3/29/09 from Ms. Lena: Hi, ya’ll! This is Lena again to tell you about my progress. My leg
muscles were pretty atrophied so I was finding it easier to get around on my 3 good legs than to slow down and use my newly
repaired hip and leg. However, my foster mom continues to walk me several times daily to make me use that leg — and
just look at this picture of me on the treadmill. Ugh! “How much longer?” is the only thing I can think about as
I work out on it, but those treats are a nice reward to keep me going. Mom, Dad, and the people at my foster mom’s shop
here at home where I supervise during the day constantly remind me to slow down and to use that leg, so I guess I am getting
better at it. It’s like having extra foster moms to keep an eye on me, so I just can’t get away with being
lazy.
I have also started my heartworm treatment now, so I have to stay slow anyway. I still like to sit and watch the squirrels and the birds here all day, especially on those warm sunny days. I can’t wait til I feel good enough to run after them like my foster sister Sydney does all day long. I will need another treatment of 2 shots in a row soon and that will make me feel bad again, but we hope those shots will get rid of all of those yucky heartworms in my young body.
My foster mom and dad say I’m a really sweet dog and I like to cuddle all night long. My mom also says that she isn’t a good foster mom because she hasn’t followed all the rules like not letting me lie on the couches and the beds, so you can blame her for those bad habits of mine!
Thanks for all the encouragement and help you've sent my way! I'll stay in touch as I keep getting better!
Lena
Contact: Pam Civile pam@esracarolinas.com
CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR LENA
| LENA’S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE: | |
|---|---|
 Ray and Monica Smith |
Hope you're back up to SPEED soon! Bailey, Chance and Benji Smith |
| Trudy Apple |
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| Cary Branthwaite |
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| Tanya Mitchell |
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| Cathryne Slaughter |
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| Tommie Richardson |
In memory of Jamie, Little Jamie, Bonnie Charlie and Casey |
| Betty Green |
|
| Diane Mars |
You're a brave girl and a real trooper, Lena. |
| Suzanne Mercer |
Penny is looking forward to playing with Lena when she is fully recovered. |
| Belinda Bowlin |
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| Barbara Holihan |
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| Helene Rosenblatt |
In memory of Max |
| Frank Lassiter |
In memory of Sugar and Honey |
| David Morrison |
A gift in honor of Randy and Betty Williams in memory of Humphrey Williams |
| Nancy McClintock |
In honor of Lena from Rascal, Annie, Winston, and foster brother Buddy |
| Rhonda Groves |
|
| Leslie J. Booth |
In memory of Mandy (1991-2007) and her father Percy (1985-1998). I miss my dear friends. |
| Philip Keith |
A gift for the Dusek family in memory of Henry, a super sweet rescue dog who will be sorely missed. |
| The Tinkers: Deb, Helen and Josie |
A gift in the name of Denny Hamblin to honor the memory of his father Dennis Hamblin |
| Sarah Corman |
A gift in the name of Polly Campenni in memory of Sally Corman |
| Geoff and Maggi Alston |
A gift for Mrs. Anne Smartt in memory of John Smartt |
| Gene Jester |
In honor of the birthday of Frances Jenkins |
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