Louie the Lab mix, hit by a car and left to die

On Thursday morning, Tammy, a volunteer with HARTT (www.azhartt.org) in Phoenix, came across a post on social media about an injured lab mix who appeared to have been hit by a car. He was lying on the pavement, paralyzed and crawling. The woman who posted about the dog said that she went over, picked him up and placed him on the side of the road, out of the way of oncoming traffic. We are thankful that someone did the right thing and moved him over so he wouldn't be hit again, but unfortunately, he was then just left on the side of the road to suffer alone. When a pet is severely injured, EVERY minute is critical and can literally make a life-or-death difference.

Immediately after seeing this post online, Tammy rushed out to find the dog before it was too late - clearly he needed medical care ASAP. When she arrived, she was horrified to see him lying in the rocks, not moving; she thought he was dead. As she approached though, he lifted his little head to look in her direction. Despite being in grave condition, he was such a sweet boy and allowed her to scoop him up. He was so small, barely over 30 pounds! We think he's a Lab/Basset or Lab/Corgi mix. Here's a short video of Louie:

Every dog we rescue is special and deserves a name. This sweet boy was given the name "Louie". Tammy loaded Louie into her car and rushed him to the 1st Pet Veterinary Center - North Valley.

Initial findings were that he was in shock and his back end was paralyzed. After further diagnostics, it was discovered Louie actually has some feeling but suffered from severe, traumatic fractures to his pelvis. Specifically, this includes sacroiliac luxation with cranial displacement of the left hemipelvis with a fragment that appears to be separated from the rest of the left hemipelvis. He also has a fracture through his left ischium with cranial displacement of the body of the ischium relative to the table. In addition, there is an oblique fracture to the right ilium. (Included is a dog anatomy image showing where all this is located.) He also has issues with bladder tone, which required a urinary catheter be inserted to help him urinate. Overall prognosis is guarded.

Louie touched so many hearts on social media. He has the most darling face and looks like a lab, but he has short little legs like a basset hound or corgi. As long as this sweet boy shows a will to survive, we are going to do all we can to give him that fighting chance! We had an angel offer to cover $2,000 towards his vet bill. This was such a blessing at a time when we couldn't wait, allowing us to rush him to the hospital immediately! Unfortunately though, after the latest diagnostics, Louie's bill has significantly increased to now $3,800 just for the hospital stay and initial stabilization.

Louie will now require an extensive surgery by a board-certified orthopedic surgeon - we are told the surgery will cost a minimum of $8,000 to $10,000. We need to get Louie on a surgery schedule right away so that he has the chance to live a normal life. HE'S ONLY ONE YEAR OLD! If there are any funds raised beyond what is ultimately needed for his care, those funds will be put towards future dogs that HARTT rescues who need major medical care.

Without the support and generosity of people just like you, we would not be able to help animals with this level of trauma - euthanasia would be our only option. Please help us to help Louie - we are so grateful for your compassion!

AND, if you might be interested in adopting Louie once he's recovered, please email us at [email redacted].

To learn more about HARTT and our lifesaving field rescues, visit www.azhartt.org.