Hey all!
Wish this post (the first in a while) was good news, but unfortunately we are ending our summer on a somewhat catastrophic note here. (And to think, I spent the summer giving the family my undivided attention and ignored blogging just when I needed it the most :(
Anyway, as a family, we decided to adopt a dog. We were not picky in our choosing but knew that adopting was for us in the sense that we could teach our kids humanity while also saving a little one's life from a potentially bad situation.
Which brought our quest to pet-finder and eventually to an area rescue.
Monday, I was blessed upon a photo of the cutest little thing who we all agreed would be a perfect match for our family.
(actual Pet-Finder photo)Notice the cast? We did too. And asked, knowing we have two small kids who most definitely would
become attached as soon as they saw him. As would we, of course.
At the time, we were told it was a precautionary measure due to a possible sprain, and that once healed (in 10 days) he would have no ill effects related to this injury.
Perfect, or so we thought.
Of course, after discussing the matter extensively, we decided to adopt. And on Wednesday of this week we went to pick up our little (or not so little) guy.
The first couple of days, Timber was lethargic. At the time we thought it was normal rescue puppy behavior which would take an adjustment period. However, by Friday evening we knew he needed to see a vet. The cast was rubbing on his leg and he seemed not only lethargic but agitated.
Our regular vet looked over the copy (and I mean photo copy) of the x-ray and deduced that the cast was unnecessary, not to mention that the possible injury pointed out on the x-ray by the rescue was on the opposite leg than the actual splint was on.
And it was removed. Timber seemed to enjoy the fact that the cast was gone, but still walked with a limp and was a little ouchy to the touch. But come Saturday, the pain was so unbearable for him that by evening we had to rush him to the Emergency Hospital.
And tonight, our family sits here just about 5 hours later, exhausted with grief and genuine sadness that we had to leave our Timber alone, in great pain, and scared albeit in great hands at the Hospital.
You see, Timber has a horrific bone infection, or that is what they are thinking will be the diagnosis when they bring in the Radiologist specialist for a second opinion. The Emergency Vet actually stated that she has never, and she sees a lot of patients there each and every night, ever seen a leg this mangled
before in her professional career. Much less in a 13 week old puppy.
The infection is so bad that they need to fight with everything they
have to save his leg. Not to mention any secondary problems this may cause now or later.
Needless to say, we called the rescue. For nothing else, but that at the off chance we could have a return of our money so that we
may post it towards this ever growing (massive) vet bill we are
enduring. We even went as far as having the Vet get on the phone
and explain that this condition was present for a while. A long
while. And should have been caught in the first x-ray that was given.
Forgetting that the cast was pointless, and Timber just endured an extra week of major pain due to their negligence.
At which point, the vet and ourselves were met with an answer that was just unfathomable.
"He was fine when he left here. As is."
Really?
Honestly, I have to say, this is when I just lost it. How could they?
How could they just walk away after less than 3 days knowing that this was an issue. Lying to us. Taking our money.
Watching our small children fall in love with this puppy at their establishment,
knowing that our only options were to Pay or Put Down. And the had the
audacity to saw, "Well, what do you want us to do about it?!?!!!"
How about give us our money back so that we can offset this huge bill.
Or how about a simple, I'm sorry. Let me see what I can do.
If
you can't tell, I am holding my anger in with everything I've got not
to mention the rescue by name as I am sure they do good overall.
You know what, no I'm not. I am not going to hold it in. For Timber. For all the pain he has been in, and will continue to go
through. And for my kids.
So here goes, do not, and I mean DO NOT rescue a dog from
All 4 The Dogs Rescue in Roosevelt, NJ.
The woman who runs the rescue is named Starr. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ568.htmlAnd
you know what, please, pass this on. We are currently setting up a
Donate button here. You should see it in the top corner soon. (It's there. Right above Timber's picture!) All proceeds will go to save
Timber's leg and anything over that cost will be donated, in his name,
to the Philadelphia SPCA.
(I hate to do this, but unfortunately, we have no idea the extent as to what this will cost. Not to mention the devastation this
has caused our family besides the fact that we have no idea how long we
can carry this treatment on financially. And for my kids, especially
our daughter who begged for us to take him home tonight. Who cried
until she vomited. Who we had to promise
that we would do everything we could to help Timber. Knowing that we
need to do what's best for our family's stability and at times these decisions are the most heart-wrenching ones a person, parent, will ever meet. )
Thanks to all for whatever you can do, and for 'listening' to this
rant. Even if it's just to get the word out so another family doesn't
suffer the same treatment. Feel free to repost this in it's entirety. Or tweet it 'till your heart's content.
Love,
The Stinky John Jones Famliy :)
Edit to add: If you wish to make a donation, and would like to send directly to the Veterinary Hospital:
VSEC c/o Timber
1900 W. Old Lincoln Hwy
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-750-7884
