Home » News » You’re Lookin’ Swell, Dolly!...

News

You’re Lookin’ Swell, Dolly!

July 01, 2009, 1:43PM MT

A paralyzed puppy’s journey to find her forever home

By Cathy Scott, Best Friends staff writer

Dolly, a partially paralyzed dog, is in a permanent home, all because of a story that ran on Best Friends’ website.

But this isn’t just any home. Dolly, now 9-months-old, lucked out when Carol, an experienced special-needs caregiver who lives in Texas, inquired about adopting her. Her home was more than a perfect fit; Carol has forever changed the quality of Dolly’s life.

Dolly came to Carol’s attention when she read a story on HandicappedPets.com which had cross-posted an article titled “Hello, Dolly” from Best Friends’ Network site.

It featured Dolly, a long-haired Chihuahua puppy who was rescued last October by a Riverside County veterinarian. Dolly had been found abandoned on a street in Riverside, California. About 6-weeks-old and weighing just three pounds, she was taken to an animal shelter, where the volunteer veterinarian was asked to put her down because of her partial paralysis. He rescued her instead, and a Best Friends Los Angeles volunteer later found a foster home for her.

When Dolly arrived at Carol’s San Antonio home in April, she and her new sister Katie, a 14-year-old Chihuahua afflicted with a similar disability, were about the same size. Three months later, Dolly has grown and “is a little bigger than Katie.”

Dolly has also grown in other ways too. She now can run on three legs, something no one ever thought she’d do again. Her improvement is all because of hip surgery, twice-weekly physical and hydrotherapy sessions and daily weight-bearing exercises with her new mom.

Two weeks after Dolly arrived in her new home, Carol, concerned that Dolly had yelped a few times when she’d scoot around on her rump, took her to a vet for an evaluation. One of Dolly’s rear legs had been amputated shortly after she was rescued because of gangrene that had set in from a sore. Her remaining leg, even though she could move it, was stiff, twisted and resting in an awkward position down the middle of her torso.

“Her hip didn’t feel like my other paralyzed dog’s hip,” Carol says. Her vet took several X-rays and discovered an old fracture to her hip that hadn’t healed properly.

“When the orthopedic surgeon took over, he said not only did it heal wrong, but there was a bone fragment that was in the socket,” Carol says. The hip injury no doubt occurred at the same time Dolly’s lower back was injured, causing the partial paralysis and incontinence.

So, Dolly underwent surgery and her hip was repaired. Today, her leg is no longer twisted, but, most importantly, Carol says, Dolly is no longer in pain.

“She’s not bearing weight on it constantly,” Carol says, “and it may be that she never will. What she will do is run with all three legs. Since the surgery, I’ve seen her, during a run, do a good step on it, then a few steps later, do another step, running with all three legs. Right now she has full use of her hip. [But] she still needs rehabilitation on her knee.”

Even though Dolly uses her rear leg every few steps when she runs, she doesn’t stand on it. “She bends it a little if I stand her up in a way that’s natural for her,” Carol says. “She’s been building muscle through the physical therapy.”

One of the best things to come out of the surgery, besides no more pain for Dolly, is her new resting postion. “I’m really excited about it,” Carol says. “She’s not lying on her leg. She lies with it on her side in a more natural position.”

And if the movement and use Dolly has today is as much as she will get, that’s just fine with Carol. “She may not do any more than she does now,” says Carol. “This is all exploratory for us. She has to relearn how to use it. I want her to use it as much as she wants to, and let her use her judgment. I’ll be happy with whatever she does.”

When Dolly’s not going through therapy, she enjoys running on grass and playing in her back yard. “She’ll chase balls,” Carol says, “or you throw a squeaky toy and she’ll get it, but she won’t bring it back. She’s a lot of fun.”

In addition to Katie, Dolly also shares a home with seven rescued cats, and one even engages Dolly in daily games of chase.

While Dolly definitely lucked out with her new home, Carol says she’s the one who feels blessed having Dolly in her life.

“Dolly is extremely smart about figuring out our schedule, our routine, what’s going to happen next, what should happen next,” she says. “She’s adjusted really well.”

“It’s amazing watching her grow and watching her explore,” Carol adds. “I’m the one who is lucky.”

For More Information
Learn more about
HandicappedPets.com.

Photos by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Sanctuary/Society editor
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Network editor

Comments

Posted July 04, 2009, 6:35PM by RobinH

What a wonderful story! Thank you Cathy and Carol for taking such loving care of Dolly. She looks so happy!

And thanks to Catherine Macias, who took on this little girl from the Vet in So. Calif to help her, even though she had never had experience with a pup like her.

Posted July 03, 2009, 5:43PM by HarrietNeedleman

Cathy Scott brought Mia and Dolly over to Barnes & Noble so we could spend some time together, and I will treasure that time...I held both of them together for some pictures that are precious! Dolly is a beautiful puppy, with those big ears, and wonderful personality....she has really grown, and I am so happy to know that she is so loved and well taken care of. HELLO DOLLY!!!!! love & hugs, your friend, Harriet

Posted July 01, 2009, 4:23PM by cottageantiques

Dolly couldn't look happier. That face of hers says it all. Dolly's mom, Carol, is amazing!

Posted July 06, 2009, 12:26PM by bordercolliemom

Carol you are one great lady. Best of everything for you Dolly and all your fur babies.

Posted July 03, 2009, 1:11PM by carolc

Dolly is doing well in her new home, but the story does not explain all the rehabilitation Dolly received before she ever came to Texas. Her spirit was healed by the love and attention of her foster mom, Cathy, before she ever arrived here.

Cathy, who had no experience with a paralyzed incontinent dog, not only found the best way to handle her incontinence, but did physical therapy on her leg to keep it flexible. Dolly has been able to come as far as she has because we have built on what Cathy did during the months following her injury. If she had not massaged and stretched her leg and preserved range of motion, Dolly would have lost more function and might have no use of her knee at all today.

Cathy helped her heal with a wholesome diet and by understanding that even though she was disabled, she was first of all a puppy, and she needed freedom to grow and play. By the time Dolly arrived here, she was no longer a sad, injured spirit, she was a confident, robustly healthy, energetic little person, ready to take on the world.

I have met some very special people through adopting Dolly. Two lovely Best Friends affiliates who did a home inspection, Jennifer who drove for hours to take priceless photos of Dolly, and Cathy, who went out of her way to foster Dolly and help her heal. Dolly has many friends.

Please look at her glowing pictures and share her story with others. She is a pure joy!

Posted July 06, 2009, 6:38AM by doggymama4

I remember that great video of her almost doing cartwheels without any worry about her handicap.She is precious and that smiley ,happy face gives joy to anyone who sees it .She is beautiful .I can't stop looking at that face and I remembered Dermott who had a big old smile just like Dolly .Was Dolly a Guardian Angel dog too? Seems like she would have been perfect. Thanks everyone who had a part in giving this little girl a chance for a good life, looks like she is really living it.

Posted July 08, 2009, 10:22AM by isembard

I thought my baby angels were goofy looking, but Miss Dolly takes the cake! How could anyone resist those little pom-pom ears. My best to Dolly and Carol, angels both.

Posted July 09, 2009, 10:59PM by twostepper

Her smile couldn't get much bigger!! The love and care she's been given by you has healed her in ways that can't be seen! Thank you for being such a wonderful caregiver, and tending to all of her special needs. She will repay you in ways you never dreamed - if she hasn't already1 You're GREAT!

Posted July 11, 2009, 4:57PM by tamaria

wow. Dolly looks so happy. i'm glad she came through her surgeries well.

Posted July 11, 2009, 8:40PM by kissyfur

someone was surly watching out many many times for this sweety. Dolly looks so happy And Carol should be commanded for all her wonderful caring deeds.

Posted July 12, 2009, 1:23PM by marys

Very touching, moving story of one very special adorable Dolly! This just shows that it can "take a village" and many angels for a great story like Dolly's to have a happy ending.

Posted July 12, 2009, 8:13PM by jodieblancheandrileysmom

Fantastic story! Congrats to Best Friends and Carol for your successes with Dolly. She looks great!

Posted July 13, 2009, 12:5PM by Jak

God Bless everyone that helped bring dolly to her forever home... her Spirit touched so many , myself inlcuded that has never had the priviedge of meeting her in person... May you all have many happy days together!! J