Dobby is an affectionate, sweet, smart and playful 9 month old puppy. His owners
got rid of him because he got "too big". He was rescued by the Echo Park Animal Alliance.
Earlier in his life, there was damage to the growth plate of the ulna, one of bones in his right foreleg. The ulna stopped growing but the radius - the other foreleg bone - did not. The result is an extreme bowing of the radius and a deformation of Dobby’s right leg that causes him to trip over his own foot. Putting his weight on it causes him pain. The surgery to repair both bones is approximately $3,000 – 5,000, and the orthopedic surgeon suggests it be done within the next 2 weeks. His prognosis for recovery is excellent!
The Echo Park Animal Alliance is a small, volunteer organization
and does not have funds to pay for a surgery of this nature.
PLEASE HELP US FIX DOBBY’S LEG!
It's as easy as clicking on the Paypal button above!
All donations are tax deductible.
You may also send a check to:
Dobby c/o Echo Park Animal Alliance
PO BOX 26010
Los Angeles, CA 90026
DOBBY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
First of all, thank you to all that have donated and helped raise funds for Dobby. We were able to raise enough to allow us to go ahead with the first of two surgeries on Thursday. He is still growing, so they cut the ulna, and the surgeon was pleased that it moved quite a bit back towards normal. When that bone heals in 6-8 weeks, he will have the second surgery to put on an adjustable external fixator that will allow them to move the bent radius back into place over 2-3 months. The actual surgeries will total about $4000+, so we're still hoping that a few more pledges come in... As I write, Dobby is sleeping here cuddled with his buddy Jessie, with a big ol' neon green splint. He's whining a bit now and then but he's adjusting.
Thanks again, and we'll keep you posted!
~ Krista and JJ
Dobby & his new buddy Leela Flea... in one of their quieter moments.... (he's usually terrorizing her!) He got his stitches out today, they took his splint off, and he has a new blue soft cast. His energy level has escalated and he wants to jump on everything (including the kitchen table), so it's a challenge keeping him down!
UPDATE April 7
Dobby had x-rays to see how his ulna was healing and unfortunately, there is not much bone growth. He will need a bone graft. So... Dobby is scheduled for his 2nd Surgery on his radius on Wednesday 04/11/07, and while he is at VCA they will do the bone graft at the same time. He will stay at VCA for at least 2 days and perhaps more depending on how he adjusts to the external fixator.
Thanks to many kind individuals, EPAA has raised $3725 for Dobby. We will go ahead with the surgery and hope that we see a few more promised donations come in to make our goal of $4500.
We'll Keep Ya Posted!
Thanks again,
~ Krista and JJ
Dobby had his 2nd Surgery April 11th. It took hours longer than anticipated and due to the severity of the surgery, he stayed in the hospital for a week. Of course, they all fell in love with him. He had a bone graft to the ulna, a three inch pin inserted into the bone to hold it in place and they broke the ulna in a second place to accommodate the rotation of the radius back to its normal position.
He has an external fixator which we adjust twice a day, turning the 5 screws to lengthen and rotate the bones which need to stretch 2 cms ( 0.8 inches) so his legs are even. He takes two really slow walks to make him use the foot and we do passive physical therapy 3x a day. You'd think all that would bring a dog down, but Dobby was happy to be home with all his buddies and toys and was livelier than ever!
He was home for a few days but the fixator had some problems, so now he is back in the hospital for another week so the doctors can work with it some more.
The VCA has been great with discounts and EPAA raised $3,725 but we still have a large outstanding balance, as the total is 5,000+.
There's still lot's of follow up X-rays, bandage changes, etc. to be done as well, so any help in spreading the word and raising more funds would be great!
We still want to have a rummage sale... however... Krista fell down a hill and broke her thumb, sprained her fingers, her ankle and knee. So instead of selling knick-knacks, she and Dobby are kindred spirits in rehab with both their paws broken.
Attached please find a new flyer – and thanks for your help! It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to see everyone come to Dobby’s aid!
~Krista and JJ and most of all – Dobby!
UPDATE: May 7
Here I am with my new hot pink splint... I'm starting a new trend for boy dogs!
But look how straight and how long my leg is!
There were complications with the fixator and my radius, so I ended up having a 3rd surgery on Thursday May 3rd... all the humans at VCA were very nice to me during my extended stay ( they let me hang out in the office! ) ...but now I'm home with all my cats and Jesse, and my toys...
I will have a permanent plate on my radius... and will have to wear this thing on my leg for about 3 more weeks, but I'm getting around just fine, except they won't let me run or jump... what's up with that?
Thanks a whole bunch,
Dobby
Hey, it's me Dobby! On the whole I'm healing well... but, I need a pool so I can do my swimming excercises. I could go to one pool alot... or if a few people offer, I could come over one time a week on a special day. I like other dogs, and cats, and kids (as you can see in the pictures of me with my new friend Alexander).
Thanks again for all your support.
Dobby
UPDATE: July 18
Hello everyone...
I got my cast off a month ago, and it's been really nice!
I go swimming every 2 or 3 days. I was scared the first day, but then I got this really cool life preserver. It helps me float so i can get a nice even stroke going. Jesse (my lab buddy) taught me how to swim and play with the ball... so i fetch it and fetch it and fetch it and... i could swim all day now, but they only let me do 2 sets of 10 minutes.... then i just sit on the steps alot.
My leg is pretty straight, but my paw still turns out a bit. Dr Owen says that it might straighten a bit more once my strength returns. I want to run and jump, but they still make me walk slowly around the block.... ah well...soon i hope...
me,
Dobby