Miss Bowlegs, Phoenix Rising

Four Months Later

2009-08-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

In May Tesla had her initial orthgopedic evaluation and radiographs. The orthopedist was very surprised at what he saw. I was expecting a simple growth plate problem, but no, Tesla has multifocal deformities affecting the radius and ulna. Given the nature of the deformities the orthopedist wanted to wait three months to see how things changed....

Fast forward to this week. The summer has been LONG! Tesla is a real live wire and has become a real wild child as the heat has made it impossible for her to get enough exercise. I have done some training at home, but really need to get to some formal training classes. In herself Tesla has been doing great, although over the past month she has been limping more and her legs do seem to bow more ....

On Monday Tesla had her three month recheck. In some respects she is much the same, having slight pain in her carpi and elbows, but in others she has deteriorated. Most importantly the angle of her deformities have changed, increasing from 20 degrees to 23 degrees. The "magic number" for surgery is 25 degrees, so again we wait, rechecking in 3 - 6 months depending on how things are going.

Settling in

2009-04-18T16:47:00.001-07:00

It's been a week since Tesla arrived and things are going well. Tess gets on great with my other dogs, but is a terrible barker, starting at the slightest noise. I've never had a problem with barking before, so need to find help, and quickly before my neighbours start to complain.

Ortho appointment is 3 weeks away.

She's Here!

2009-04-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Flights just didn't work out so yesterday I drove to WV to pick up Telsa. She is a real sweetheart, looking like possibly a Lab Beagle mix. Tesla is around 8 months old and is very much still a puppy. She is in your face all the time, giving kisses, puts anything she can into her mouth and has 2 speeds, full on or asleep.

Tesla has bilateral forelimb deformities, but is able to walk. Her orthopedic consult is in 4 weeks ...

A new start needs a new name

2009-04-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

Ms. Bowlegs describes her problem well, but really is no name for such a beautiful pup. Naming dogs is never easy for me, I want something unusual but not unpronounceable!

A few days ago I was reading and came across a piece about Nikola Tesla, inventor of the AC motor, radio, and Tesla coil ... I suddenly found the name I was searching for - Telsa, with Tess as a call name.

Today Tesla was to be spayed - I'm waiting to hear how she did and when she'll be able to be transported.

Who is Miss Bowlegs ?

2009-03-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

The internet is a great place for networking about animals in need, including those with special needs who may not get a chance.

On March 14th 2009, one e-mail, amongst the hundreds that I receive each day caught my eye. It was a plea for help for a disabled dog. My passion is for senior and special needs dogs, so I investigated further. Bowlegs was in a rural West Virginia shelter and was in desperate need of rescue or a home. Her picture brought me to tears, a young lab mix with forelimb deformities, bloody footprints in the snow around her. I crossposted about Bowlegs, but couldn't get her out of my mind.

March 26th I checked the shelter webpage and there she was, still looking for a home. I e-mailed the shelter, sent in an application and was honoured to be selected as her forever home. She still needs to be spayed and vaccinated, but hopefully will be joining me in the next week or so.

Update: Noah's Ark has kindly offered to put her under their name with me listed as an adopter and help me to fundraise for her medical bills. Thanks Noah's Ark!