Macy's Medical Marvels

Macy is a marvel in more ways than one.  I wanted to update everyone on her medical status.

The vets in Kentucky realized that Macy had partial or complete vision loss in her left eye.  When she arrived just over one week ago she did not seem to see anything on that side.  Last Wednesday Macy saw veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Olivera.  If anyone ever has a pet with any vision issues, this is the person to see.  Dr. Olivera was so kind and gentle with sweet, scared Macy.  He literally had her eating out of his hand in no time!  I suppose it didn't hurt either that he offered good news.  It seems that Macy likely suffered a concussion when she was hit by the car.  Not that a concussion is good, but it means there is a good chance that Macy will regain normal function of the eye.  The great news is that she can already see out of it again!

Currently Macy's left eye is dilating instead of constricting when light is shined in it.  However, in the weird and wacky ways of the brain, if light is shined in her right eye, both pupils constrict as normal.  Hopefully with time the wiring in her brain and nerves on the left side will repair and the left eye will always constrict as it should.  Even if it doesn't, the worst thing is she'll squint in bright light.  Maybe we can get someone to make her a cool pair of doggie shades!

Macy had a big trip to Keller Lake to have radiographs retaken of her pelvic injury.  This time Macy decided to sit on the car seat beside me instead of in her bed.  What a big girl! 

She did so great at the clinic and even though she was scared she let me get her situated for the x-ray without having to be sedated and let Dr. Melissa and Angie hold her in place.  These rads clearly show all of the pellets or bbs in her hindquarters and legs, there are at least 21 of them!  If you look just under her tail at the back of the bone there you can see the break.  We are waiting for word from the orthopedic surgeon about whether she will require surgery.

Let's all hope that Macy can heal without a painful surgery and plating of the bone.  She's been through a lot and I am really hoping that she can continue her forward progress without more difficult times to get through.  I'll post as soon as we know more!

Full of surprises

A few days before the last transport was to arrive we got a call from the shelter - they'd just gotten in a terrier mix mom and her five pups, all nearly the same size as her at just three months old.  They sent this picture along.

We were able to make arrangements to get them all out of the shelter and into rescue with "mom" and one baby coming to Safe Hands, the rest of the pups to another rescue.  My favorite part of that night's intake will always be when the foster mom sweetly asked me if I was sure this was the mom of the pups.  "Oh yes," I assured her, "the shelter called me when they came in and sent the pics along, I know it's odd that the babies are so big but yep!".  And then, she flipped Henry over and pointed to distincly male anatomy and asked - "then what's this?".

OK, so, that's one way to stand corrected!  I wonder what poor Henry thought in the kennel run with all those pups in Harlan!  He's such a good natured guy though I'm guessing he took it all in stride.  He's super sweet and loving, he loves everyone human and canine.  He is a bundle of sunshine and a true joy.

But Henry had one more surprise in store for us.  Foster mom noticed the first night that he seemed to be limping and one leg seemed slightly smaller, atrophied.  X-rays revealed Henry has a fracture in his hip, the ball of the joint is broken off!  I can't imagine how much pain our little guy has been in and still to be so happy go lucky.  So tomorrow, Monday, Henry will have FHO surgery.  Lucky Henry has a loving foster home dedicated to helping him recover, heal and regain strength in his leg.  Please send well wishes and healing energy his way! 

Macy's baby steps

Macy has made tremendous progress in just a few short days.  My heart feels like it might burst when I watch each baby step forward.  Two nights ago I watched as Macy met Safe Hands member Valerie and made a new friend.  She learned that she likes to have a head and face massage a whole lot.  I could see her visibly relax the tension in her little body as she leaned into Valerie's hand and softly blinked her eyes.  Then it happened, Macy had a breakthrough, she head butted Valerie's hand.  Macy asked for more.  Such a small gesture but it means so much.  Macy asked for more!!

Last night I watched Macy play with Safe Hands member Heidi.  Yes, Macy played with her.  She wrapped her front legs around Heidi's arm, nibbled on her hand and grabbed hold of her sweater - all very gently mind you.  And Macy played, with a person, for the very first time.

Today, Macy is off to the races, she played with me and she played with Vyto.  And tonight she wagged her tail at me.  After we played she took a nap and when she woke up and I was still there with her, she wagged her tail!!  I'm not sure I've ever seen anything more beautiful than Macy wagging her tail at that moment!

As I sit with Macy and watch her blossom and grow I can't help but reflect on the life she previously led and how she ended up here, in Safe Hands now.  I keep thinking of the chance encounters, the connections, all the actions and events that happened in this universe to bring this little black girl dog, born in a small rural area in Kentucky with little hope for a good life, to our rescue halfway across the country.  What is the probability that born into her circumstances, she'd find herself here?

I can't get Chances out of my head.  I just keep thinking of the chances she had, which in her situation were slim to none.  Macy's radiographs show her body is full of buckshot, a minimum of 15 pellets throughout her abdomen, hind quarters and back legs.  What are the chances that she would survive being shot at?  Some of her siblings were no doubt less fortunate.  Macy's mom and siblings died and she was alone in the world at no more than 8 months of age.  What are the chances she could endure on her own?  Macy was hit by a car.  What are the chances she would last, with a broken pelvis more than a few contusions and bruises and a concussion that left her vision compromised, in the cold, on her own?   What are the chances someone would care enough about a little stray dog to find her in a drain pipe and reach out to ask for help.  What are the chances that help would be found?

I don't know what it was or how the interconnected web of the world works it's mysterious ways.  I don't know how or why exactly things worked the way that they did.  I just know that it seems like it has to be more than Chance that saved Macy and brought her here.  Macy has touched many lives already and I think she has more work yet to do.

And so, this Five for Fighting song loops through my head:

Chances are when said and done
Who will be the lucky ones
Who will make it all the way?

Today it is Macy who will make it all the way but I will tell you who are the lucky ones.  We are.  I am.  Those of us who get to spend time with Macy are the truly lucky ones.  Her life has not been easy and yet there is a sweetness and innocence about her.  This little girl who has been kicked even when she was down, is still willing to engage.  Macy is willing to look forward to better days ahead.  She is eager to believe.  She is eager to believe that a warm home, soft beds, exciting and entertaining toys, good food, head massages, ear scratches, soft words and company are hers for good now.  She has had nothing and no one.  She has not known what it is to trust.  And yet she is still willing to learn.  Macy thinks she might be ready to no longer be alone in the big, scary world out there.  Behind those enormous liquid brown eyes, beyond the uncertainty, there is a soul that radiates with a purity and an honesty stripped bare of any preconceived notions or pretensions. 

Chances are all they hope to be....

To be part of Macy's new beginning, part of the circle that now surrounds her with safe hands and open hearts is an honor and a privilege.  We are the lucky ones.

Macy's new beginning

Sweet baby girl Macy arrived on Saturday night, February 13th.  Getting her here was no small accomplishment and much thanks are due to all the good hearted folks along the way who made time in their lives at the last minute to ensure Macy arrived safe and sound, to URKY for helping her and getting her stable at the vet clinic in KY, all the folks who donated to pay her vet bill there and to Karen H. who's devotion to Macy and much time, effort and miracle working are the reason she is here now.

Thanks to first time transporter Mick (welcome to the Underhound Railroad!), to Kim and Margie and Judy Walton (yes, one of our Edgerton Angels who once again came to the rescue) and to Safe Hand's member Tess who drove to WI Dells to bring Macy on the last leg home.

Macy arrived hungry, tired and very shy but overall doing very well.  She was interested in her surroundings and happy to have a meal and some new toys to play with.  This will be a big week with an orthopedic consult and an appointment with the eye doc too.  All this while we get to know Macy and hopefully make her more comfortable too.

Meet Macy

I'd like to introduce you to the newest Safe Hand's member, a baby girl in need who joined our rescue just last Saturday night. 

I was first introduced to Macy with this heartwrenching photo:

Macy's story:
Macy was born to a stray dog in Rock Castle, KY - near Harlan.  Her mom got handouts from some neighborhood folks where she primarily lived.  She had babies and soon they were following her around.  One by one the babies disappeared - hit by cars, succumbing to the elements or perhaps to other animals.  In the end it was just Macy and her mom left.  Then a few weeks ago her mom too was hit by a car and killed.  It was just Macy on her own.  I imagine it must have been pretty lonely and pretty scary for her.  A local woman was trying to leave food out for her and keep an eye on her. 

On Tuesday, January 26th this woman came home and saw blood smeared on the street.  When the little black dog didn't come around any more she became very concerned.  She finally tracked her to a drain pipe where she had crawled in and curled up. The woman could not get her out.  She checked on her every day but Macy would not move.  Finally on Saturday the 30th she got help from a friend and they were able to get Macy out of the drain pipe and into an outdoor dog house on the woman's porch.  She curled up in the house and would not move.  The woman had no money to take her to the vet and she knew enough to know Macy needed more than she could give her.  She sent out an email plea for help.

The email made it's way to a group called United Rescues Kentucky (URKY) of which we are a member.  URKY board members were able to get her to a vet in a nearby town.  They started a Chip In to pay for her medical expenses.  She was dehydrated, very thin, in immense pain and very, very afraid.  Radiographs revealed that she has a broken hip.  At this point the surgeon they consulted felt the injury would heal on it's own with cage rest and that surgery was not recommended as it would be a severe procedure requiring installing a metal plate around the bones..

And this is where we come in.  Macy needs a rescue that give her every chance to heal both physically and emotionally.  She needs to be enveloped by the love of good people who care about her.  URKY has heard great things about our group, about the people that make up our group, about how hardworking and dedicated we are.  They have heard we have big hearts and gentle hands and that we go above and beyond what even we thought was possible to provide care and comfort to the dogs who's lives we agree to be responsible for.  They would like us to take Macy.  They feel we can give her the best chance to be happy and whole.

Macy is estimated to be around 8 months old, she weighs just 21 pounds.  She is extremely frightened and lies curled up in a ball.  She will not even eat in front of her caregivers.   Right now Macy thinks she is alone in the world.  She does not know how many folks already care a great deal about her.  The folks of URKY are all pulling for her and let me tell you that these are mighty fine folks who work really, really hard to save dogs (& cats!) in Kentucky.  What they see and deal with and what they do on a regular basis has me amazed and in awe.  

And so, with much thanks and gratitude to the "think tank" of folks I consulted about this decision, I agreed to bring Macy into our fold.  Macy needs us.  A wise man told me, this is what we do.  I'm hoping you will join me in finding room in your hearts, minds and busy lives for a scared little back girl who has nothing right now in this really big and terrifying world.  I am hoping you can join me in forming a cocoon of love and safety around her.  She is going to need us all.