Raising Litter Mates

JORDAN'S STORY I know this blog is supposed to be about our Labrador Litter Mates, not about Jordan. The reason I am blogging about Jordan is to help anybody else out there who is currently going through the same situation, or those who may go through this in the future. I know we haven't come to any conclusions yet, and she hasn't been relieved of her symptoms - but we are trying our hardest. If I can help out even one person and their furry canine companion it would be satisfying to know that perhaps Jordan's experience has saved another dog and their owners from going through the awfulness that we are currently dealing with.

Subscribe      Email Me

I didn't have Jordan as a puppy. She came to me when she was about 4 -5 years of age. I had just gotten a job at a clinic when I heard about her tragic story.

She was a shelter dog before she became a pet for a young couple and their baby. History says that she was abused, quite neglected, and totally uncared for when she entered the shelter. These caring people took her home - not expecting her to be high maintenance. Apparently, she blew her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and needed surgery. They took all the right steps, called in a specialist and had the procedure done. I believe half of dogs that tear one cruciate will more than likely blow the other one within a year! That is what we were told when our Ice-Man tore his first one.

She healed well, she was doing well, until the next one tore. The couple were now expecting their second child, and clearly could not afford to get the surgery done.

After being at the clinic a few months, I receive a phone call that nearly broke my heart. On the other end was the owner of Jordan. He had called to make an appointment to have his dog put down. Having dealt with this type of phone call at the previous clinics I worked at I knew how to handle it - so I thought.

After picking a day and time, I had asked the gentlemen how old Jordan is, and he replied four (4) or five (5), unsure due to her being a shelter dog. This took me by surprise, so I started asking questions.

He told me the story above, and I said that I would ask around to see if there was something I could do for them. We worked closely with a non-profit organization Network 4 Animals, and with some help they were able to donate $350.00 toward Jordan's surgery, but this was still not enough for the couple. We had tried a few more rescue groups - funds were short.

After talking to the owners throughout that week, they had still decided they had to put her down. They tried looking for a home for her, they tried to get into the SPCA - who denied them.. etc etc.

I then asked if they could bring her by the clinic so I can take a picture of her and post it on our bulletin board. He brought her to me at the clinic and the rest is history.

I remember her cute little face and her sad little eyes and her ever wiggly stump of a tail (she is a rottieX so her tail is docked). She bounced out of the back seat of his car, limping and all, and ran up and licked me like crazy. Almost like she knew who I was - I have never met this dog in my life.

Needless to say, the rest is history. After seeing her and how wonderful of a dog she is, I went home, asked mom and dad if I could bring her home. They weren't all that impressed about it, so I made an appointment with the owners to stop off and see her at home. I took my mom with me. She fell in love as well. We saw her living conditions - in a garage, food out for three (3) days, she hadn't eaten. The owners told me they thought she was depressed (no kidding). She was limping like crazy - had been for about three (3) months. I knew I had to take her out of there.

We scheduled her surgery with the specialist, her owners at the time signed surrender papers - surrendering the dog to me - and we got her surgery done. Recovery was hard for her, and I think it was due to the fact that she had been limping for so long, she forgot how to use that leg. We took her swimming daily to strengthen up her leg and get her using it. SHE LOVES TO SWIM. SO a few times swimming and she was up and using her leg again. After a full recovery, she was running and playing ball like you wouldn't believe. Her previous owners called and checked on her, and wanted to see her. I took her to a park, we met up and he was crying when he saw her running and playing and being a dog again. It made me feel so good when she came running to me with the ball every single time, she had only been with me for a few months at this point, I was afraid she would want to go home with him again. But she didn't, she stuck close to me and jumped right in the car with me when it was time to leave.

Don't get me wrong, she wasn't perfect, she had come to me with a few serious issues. Barking, and dog aggression were big ones. She is great with kids and people in general, but other dogs were a big thing. I figure she was never doggy socialized as a puppy. It was not her fault.

Her entire recovery was in the garage. Jordan refused to come into the house, she was terrified to take a step inside. We tried and tried, but she was too uncomfortable INSIDE the house at first. Slowly after a few months of little inside visits, she was getting comfy and one night she fell asleep on the floor on my blanket beside the couch I was laying on. Well that was the end of the garage!!

A little while later I moved out, away from mom and dad, and I took all the dogs with me ( I had two dogs already before Jordan came into my life - they have since passed).

Whew! This story will be continued.. it's hard to see the screen with watery eyes. sorry =(