SAGRR

Hi folks, I’m Dave the Dog. This is my story of how I was hit by a truck and severely injured. But don’t worry – it has a happy although expensive ending, so keep reading.

I was out for a stroll one morning and I stopped by a soccer game and played with some new small human friends. They tried to catch me but I’m too smart for that and I ran off to another place where there were a bunch of people sitting in a field. They seemed nice at first, but they didn’t seem to have any extra food for me and then one of them starting throwing rocks at me and yelling at me to go away. I never had anyone do anything like that to me and it scared me. So, I ran as fast as I could away from them and into the street.

Then BAM, all of a sudden I found myself flying through the air and when I landed in the gutter everything hurt so bad. The truck who had hit me just kept going and I tried to get up, but I couldn’t. My legs wouldn’t work and trying hurt. That was kind of scary, my legs had always worked really good, before. Then my story took a turn for the better.

Someone saw me get hit and called Pathways for Paws and a couple really nice, gentle people came and helped me out of the street and into their car. I thanked one of them by putting my head on her arm and giving my best smile. They took me to an emergency vet (VCA Valley) where I was stabilized and then someone from PACC came to pick me up and take me to the shelter clinic. I still hurt but not as much because they gave me painkillers. Wait it gets better.

The same people who saw me get hit put it on social media and the next thing I knew a lady from Southern Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue was there visiting me and making arrangements to have me go to another emergency vet office (VSCOT). I sure was getting around, and normally I would like riding in all these cars and making friends but I was pretty groggy and don’t really remember much of the ride.

After a nice long nap, I woke up with a lot of my hair shaved off and tubes going everywhere. I would have liked to taste those tubes, but I was so sleepy I just went back to sleep. After doing that for a while, someone came and talked softly and gave me wonderful gentle pets. I didn’t hurt anymore but things still didn’t move so good. But after a couple days and lots more naps, my new friends helped me stand up to go outside. Well that was quite an experience but everyone was so happy for me that I wagged my tail – at least that was working right.

I spent a lot of time with these new friends and I heard them talking about me and my surgeries to the nice rescue people. They called themselves Team Dave. That’s how I found out that was my new name. I later found out SAGRR was paying for me to get well. Turns out my pelvis, whatever that is, was in a bunch of pieces but Dr. Spencer put me back together, it took two times to do it all but then I started walking around and going outside more. It’s hard to walk with people attached to both ends of you, but they were so gentle and sweet, I always tried because it made them very happy. And it got easier after a few days.

Then a big day came. I was going to go live with someone called a foster. I didn’t know that word either but all my new friends at VSCOT seemed very excited and happy for me. I kept wagging and threw in a little lick now and then to encourage them.

When I met my foster and another nice lady from SAGRR I got to go for another ride in a car and this time it was more fun cause I was awake. When we got to her house, I even met another dog that was friendly and keeps whispering to me to get well. (I think it’s cause he wants his mom back all to himself, but he is good company) Now I am walking even more and I don’t need as much help anymore so that again makes everyone happy. All these really nice humans I have met throughout this sure get happy easily.

I listen a lot to them when they talk on these little boxes in their hands and my foster said I am doing really well and even took a video of me to send to people. I will be going to something called physical therapy too, sounds like fun. It will take quite a while for me to totally recover, but I will. Thanks to the love and care of a lot of people who wanted nothing but to help me.

That’s where you come in. It cost a lot to get me fixed. Although the people at VSCOT liked me so much they gave SAGRR a big discount, I still cost almost $8,000 to fix plus more for my physical therapy. So, I want to help SAGRR and pay it forward. Then they can help the next dog who needs a lot of medical care. In fact, the next week while I was in the hospital, a dog who ate a bunch of rocks came along, and he had a really big bill too.

I’d really like to help SAGRR be able to always say yes when the next sick or injured dog comes along. Because I’m a dog I don’t have any money but if you could pitch in and send a little to them, I sure would appreciate it. I’d even wag my tail for you. Thanks a lot - Dave