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Pets, Pets, Pets...
by Joanne Anderson Usually dogs do not count their blessings at Thanksgiving. Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation has a pup, paralyzed when hit by a car, who is the exception. Miraculously, she’s on the mend. If this young Beagle, aptly named "Hope", were able to speak, she’d spout a litany of gratitude. Here’s what Hope would say she’s thankful for: •The State Trooper who rescued her from Wantagh Parkway last August and took her to a town shelter. •The veterinarian who was summoned there to "put her to sleep" but couldn’t when he looked into her eyes and saw how much she wanted to live. He contacted Last Hope.
•Linda, Last Hope’s President, who just happens to be partial to Beagles. She OKed her expensive spinal surgery. Non-profit groups have to use limited donations sparingly. Rescuers are always faced with the dilemma of special needs cases that empty the treasury. Over the years I have pleaded with groups for strays’ orthopedic pins and plates, but could never ask for a spinal injury surgery because of the price and the prognosis. Linda looked into Hope’s eyes too, and she saw that spark. She couldn’t say "No". •Dr. Marino- the top notch surgeon and owner of LI Veterinary Specialists who performed Hope’s tricky decompression operation. Then Hope went into boarding at another hospital and through miscommunication did not start therapy for 2 months. Muscle contractures are slowing, but not stopping, her recovery. •The staff at Basic Pet Care who treats Hope like a princess. They love her and bathe her. Hope requires diaper changes several times a day. (We customize Pampers for her tail.). The staff also makes sure she has a fuzzy companion. •Delilah- Hope’s feline buddy who snuggles up to her in her cage. Delilah is a bottlefed foster baby herself.
•Barbara who learned about Hope from Beagle Rescue. She feels that Hope is more relaxed in a private hospital area away from the boisterous big guys in the Last Hope Center so she pays for Hope’s private room. Barbara spends long afternoons with Hope out in the sunshine. •The volunteers who provide Hope with much needed water therapy at the Center. We are working on strengthening her muscles and correcting the neurological damage so Hope can put her legs in proper position to walk by herself. Monday is my day, and I’m seeing weekly progress. •The K-9 Cart- Hope is a special cart designed for paralyzed dogs. Right now she races around in it like Ben Hur. Her physical therapist doesn’t want her to rely on it too much. We’re hoping it’s only a temporary chariot. •Eileen- Hope’s fantastic canine rehabilitation practioner at the Center for Specialized Veterinary Care. Doctors there looked at Hope’s x-rays and feel there is no reason why she won’t be able to walk again. Eileen, dressed in a wet suit, sees Hope twice a week for work-outs in the Westbury hospital’s ferno hydro therapy tank- the first one like it in NY. Hope swims to build stamina and strengthen her back legs. Then in lower water, Hope is hooked up to a lifejacket/ leash for walks on the underwater treadmill. At this depth, the water is supporting 60 percent of her weight. While sitting in the pool, Eileen manipulates Hope’s joints and muscles to increase her mobility. She forces Hope to climb up on her legs as a bridge. Just like a stroke patient, Hope’s neurons have been short-circuited, and her brain must re-learn the correct foot position- something Eileen calls- proprioception- the body’s unconscious sense to vary muscle contraction to orient itself in space. Eileen, who volunteers at Angel’s Gate animal hospice on her day off, just adores Hope, and sees great improvement. •Loretta- I have saved the most important person in Hope’s life for last. Loretta, a Last Hope volunteer, chemotherapy nurse, mother of 4 teens and 5 rescued Dachshunds, is Hope’s angel and advocate. She was first on the scene, and pushed for Hope’s surgery and therapy. Loretta is devoted to Hope and her recovery. She obtained the cart from Doxie Rescue and adapted it for a Beagle. Twice a week she drives from her hospital in Nassau to pick up Hope in Suffolk, back to Nassau for therapy, and back to Suffolk to drop Hope at the Center. The determination of this nurse from Sloan and pet therapist working together is inspirational. Loretta comes to the Center on weekends to give Hope more therapy. She angst’s over not having Hope home with her, but knows that right now Hope needs time and the support of a team. Loretta is convinced Hope will walk again. She knows it may take a year. Her dedication is contagious. Rescue miracles, like this, are costly. Hope’s surgery alone was $3600 which can be helped with donations to a special "Hope Walk Fund" c/o Last Hope, Inc., PO Box 61, Syosset, NY 11791. Our pilgrim pup of the parkway embodies the holiday: overcoming hardships, giving thanks, and envisioning hope for the future. Isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about.
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