It's Not His Lucky Day - Yet!

Lab Rescue has just taken in a fellow named Lucky. Today is not his lucky day but we know that he'll have lots of good days in his future. We need your help to get Lucky back on his feet.

Yesterday we received a call from a vet in Wincester, VA about Lucky. Several weeks ago, Lucky had an accident and went through a plate glass window. His right tibia was broken. His owners couldn't afford the surgery that would properly repair the bone. Instead, they put a cast on his leg. Lucky's owners were given strict instructions that he was to be kept quiet and do as little as possible while his leg healed.

Sadly, they didn't keep him quiet and contained but soon, Lucky was outside again. Then, the unthinkable happened and Lucky disappeared. Yesterday his owners finally found him. Lucky was emaciated and dehydrated. Worse, they noticed a foul smell coming from the cast. They took Lucky back to the vet to ask that he be put to sleep.

The clinic staff set to work on examining and caring for Lucky. They immediately started an IV to get him rehydrated and then removed the cast from his leg. Lucky's leg was septic. The skin was sloughing off it was so infected. It was clear to the emergency staff that Lucky's leg couldn't be saved and that he was in a fight for his life.

The vet spoke to the family who, again, could not afford the care that Lucky needed. They signed over ownership and the clinic contacted Lab Rescue for help.

The clinic staff have been caring for Lucky and he's now stable.

Today, we are amputating his leg.

Lucky needs your help! Please donate now to help over the cost of Lucky's surgery!

June 29, 2010 - 7:45 pm - Update on Lucky after his Surgery

Just talked to the vet. Lucky's red blood cell count is down but that is expected as an amputation is a bloody operation as they have to tie off so many blood vessels. He has been up taken his important first steps with some help and has peed and pooped (important steps after a big operation).



We are hoping that Lucky may be moving to his foster home as early as tomorrow.

We all owe a great debt of gratitude to the vets who saved Lucky's life. 



Winchester Valley Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center
164 Garber Lane
Winchester, VA 22602
540-662-7789   

http://www.valleyemergencyvet.com/links.html

 

June 30, 2010 8:30 pm - Update

Just talked to the vet Lucky is making progress, doctor says he is getting around pretty well on 3 legs. He has been up and walking by himself (with a caretaker there in case he gets a little wobbly). They are cutting back on his pain medication and switching his medicines to pills so he can go to a foster home, possible tomorrow. He is not eating as much as they want him to, the vet thinks it’s because of some of the pain medicine he is on, they will see how he does tonight and decide in the morning if he can leave.

So, it's another day in hospital for Lucky but we hope that tomorrow he'll go to one of our great Lab Rescue foster homes.

July 2, 2010 4:30 pm - Update

We have all good news to report on Lucky’s situation.  His luck has taken a huge turn for the better. 

Just days ago he was on the streets with a life threatening injury to his leg.  Today, thanks to the generosity of some wonderful people on this list and elsewhere, Lucky’s vet bills are covered and he is on the mend.  Of course, we have many other labs to care for so your ongoing contributions in Lucky’s honor will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.

Lucky is fortunate to be enjoying the hospitality of his fosters, Mike and Betty, and I am pleased to share this report I received:

We picked up Lucky from the vet . We are surprised how mobile he is already.  He was well behaved though a little nervous at first.  When we arrived home he was happy to eat a few dog treats.  Then he drank some water and ate a little bit of dog food.  Now he is curled up on a dog bed next to us as we watch TV.

He is quiet and very friendly.  He even seemed to be smiling.  He was certainly wagging his tail.  What a sweet boy he is. 

We also want to acknowledge the Winchester Valley Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center for their outstanding efforts.

Lucky needs our help one more time. Please spread the word and rally your dog-loving friends. We need to find Lucky a forever home. If you know of someone who may be interested and would like to learn more about life with a tripod dog, please have them contact lab-rescue@comcast.net.

July 4, 2010 - Update from Lucky's Foster Family

My son, his wife, and our grandson came over today.

Lucky was interested, but kept his distance at first.  That changed when we started eating.  Lucky must have some experience helping toddlers eat their dinner.  He was so cute.  Alex gave Lucky a piece of hot dog.  Lucky ate it, and then Alex let Lucky lick his fingers.  Alex was delighted, and couldn't understand why his mother was so eager to wash his hands with a soapy wash cloth when Lucky had done such a good job.  The picture of Lucky and Alex was a little blurry...I may send it later...but I thought you might like the 2 shots I have attached.  Lucky was wagging his tail, and I caught the left wag and the right wag.

    

Check out these great new photo's of Lucky in his foster home.

 

July 8 - New Photo's from Lucky's Foster Home

Lucky is now listed as one of our Labs Available for Adoption






 

July 4, 2010 - Update from Lucky's Foster Family

Thursday was the first day Lucky started chewing on chew bones.  He chewed for a while and then playfully flipped it into the air, then he went over and picked up a ball.  We have some dog toys around the house, but we haven't been encouraging Lucky to play, because we do not him to over do it.  Later in the evening he actually laid down on his injured side for the first time.  He has also been spending more time sitting, and he has been smiling a lot more too. 

Lucky has been putting on a few pounds and his coat is starting to improve.  It will be nice to give him a bath (after the stitches are removed).  It is hard to believe this is the same dog we brought home with us last a week ago.  When you called us last week asking us to consider fostering Lucky, we thought it would be much more difficult.  He has really surprised us with his resiliency, rapid recovery and happy disposition.  It has taught us quite a bit about how adaptable and trusting dogs really are. 

My grandson (age 18 months) joined us for dinner this evening and Lucky happily sat next to him waiting for a morsel and a pat on the head.  They were very good together.  We will be taking Lucky to the Vet tomorrow, and will give you an update when we return.

 

July 16, 2010 - Update from Lucky's foster family

Lucky went to the vet today and had his stitches out, he was brought up to date on vaccines. He is Heartworm negative and is now on preventative meds. Vet said that surgery site looks great and he is doing well, better than she expected. When we went out to the car to go to the vets he jumped in the back seat without help and hopped out when we got there.
 
At home he is making super progress.  He's becoming more and more enthusiastic each day. For example - when we let him out in the morning he now does his business then races inside, sits up at the pantry where his food is, and "sings for his breakfast" by barking at me.-- typical Lab; food is priority number one! The other day Lucky started chewing on bone, chewed for a while then flipped it into the air, when it landed he pounced on it and flipped it in the air again. He is playing more each day.
 
He has no problem getting around can sit with ease, is laying down on his injured side and is starting to jog and run in the yard. Lucky has been putting on a few pounds and his coat is starting to improve and the hair they shaved off for his operation is growing in. 

When you called us asking us to consider fostering Lucky, we thought it would be much more difficult. He has really surprised us with his
resiliency, rapid recovery and happy disposition. It has taught us quite a bit about how adaptable and trusting dogs really are. 




 

July 23, 2010 Update

Go Lucky Go!

During the last week Lucky has been increasing his activity and his interest in playing.  It has been 3 weeks since his  leg was amputated.  At first we had to limit his activity.  When his stitches were removed last week the vet gave us the green light for normal doggy activities.  In fact, when we took Lucky back to the car Lucky jumped into the back seat before we had a chance to help him.

That's right....he jumped!.....just like a regular dog.  It is nice to see the improvement in his balance and mobility.

We have several toys around the house, but Lucky didn't seem interested in playing with any them.....then last night he started to engage in a game with his chew bone which then morphed into fetch with a ball.  We were having as much fun as he was, and he was actually sprinting across the room and prancing back with the ball for a belly rub.

Thank You to Lucky's Sponsors

It turns out that it is Lucky's day!  He's found a lot of new friends to help him on his journey.  Lab Rescue says thank you to everyone who responded to our request for help.