Lucky Paw Foundation Newsletter - January 8, 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE LUCKY PAW FOUNDATION!
We have been busy over the past 30 days!
I am very happy to report that we successfully helped 3 animals-in-need get their life-changing surgery. There is literally too much good news to share in one newsletter, so today I will share an update on Phoenix and introduce you to Shiloh.
Please enjoy their stories.
PHOENIX UPDATE
Last Month, we shared with you Phoenix's story. She had been hit by a car at 8 weeks old, which broke many bones in her rear legs and was unable to walk. She was rescued by a good samaritan who got her the help she needed. She had 3 expensive surgeries to fix her legs. Unfortunately, one of her legs developed a complication and healed poorly. Despite all of her good care, she was still having great difficulty walking. An orthopedic surgeon at the Animal Surgical Center in Flint thought that he could straighten the leg so that she could walk normally, but her owners were out of funds.
Lucky Paw paid for her 4th surgery. Phoenix had to wait until she was fully grown before the leg could be straightened. Her surgery was done on December 20, 2022 and was a great success!
As you can see, she has gotten a LOT bigger and is very beautiful!
We recently received an up date from her Mom:
"Thank you so much for helping Phoenix ! The surgery went very well and she is doing well with the healing process. She has to stay calm for the next 3 months. So far she has been a real trooper.
The pictures show her leg the day before the surgery and then the day after surgery. Wow, what a difference. She is finally walking with what I would say is a normal gate.
Lucky Paw Foundation has made an extraordinary difference to improve Phoenix's quality of life. She will soon be running, playing and enjoying life. Thank you so much. Please let me know if we can help in any way."
LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO SHILOH
Shiloh got off to a rough start. As soon as he was adopted, it was apparent that something was not exactly right with him. As a 4 month old pup, he had what looked like a severe urinary tract infection and was leaking urine. However, It was soon determined that his kidney was infected to the point that it had to be removed. His parents had just adopted him and already he needed his first big life-saving surgery. His surgery went well, and over the next couple of years he thrived. He did need medication to keep him from leaking urine, but overall he has been able to enjoy a normal and happy life.
Unfortunately, late in 2022, (2 1/2 years after his original surgery) he developed a surgical complication. He started urinating blood. After having a CT scan, it was discovered that a large sack had formed off of his bladder at the old surgery site. It was a ticking time-bomb that could rupture and cause sudden death. He needed surgery by a specialist to try to remove the sack and forever fix the problem.
Sadly, the story gets worse. At the same time he was developing complications, one of his owners developed a brain tumor. Shiloh's surgery was put on hold while his owner was fighting for his life. Just prior to his dad's surgery, the Lucky Paw Foundation approved his surgery and reassured both of his owners that no matter what happened, we would make sure Shiloh got what he needed to survive.
Heartbreakingly, Shiloh's dad passed away late in 2022, shortly after his brain surgery. Now, more than ever, his mom needed him to be healthy.
On January 3, 2023, Shiloh got his surgery at the Animal Surgical Center in Flint. Surgery went well and he is expected to make a full recovery. It has been a very long and emotional journey to good health. I am proud that the Lucky Paw Foundation was there to support his family at one of their most heartbreaking moments.
LUCKY PAW FOUNDATION ~~ MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission of helping animals in dire need of advanced veterinary care. Your help can
make the difference between life and death ... but at the very least will be life-changing.
Most Sincerely,
Tracy Dulak, Director