I am Buddy, Hear me Run...

I am a six year old Australian Shepherd. My left front leg had to be amputated due to cancer in October 2003. This was really difficult news for my family - cancer and an amputation. Fortunately, we are all doing great. It has not been easy, but now I like to play with my tennis balls and go for walks with my humans. (My humans are having to walk a lot faster to keep up with me!) I am building up my strength and will show the other dogs that I am still one wicked awesome Aussie.

The vet says I am cancer free, but I receive chemo treatments every three weeks. The first treatment made me feel really bad, but now with a little RX -I am fine. My humans put special pills in my food to help with the side effects. My human mom even makes my food! She is determined that the cancer will not return.

You will notice my t-shirt. Well, after the surgery I had a t-shirt instead of a bandage. It is really cozy and I really like wearing them. I have quite the collection.

Here's Jett, (who is actually smiling for the photo.) She was found on a road one night unable to get up on her front legs. She apparently had been tossed or jumped from a moving vehicle & hit with such impact that it broke both her legs. She has recovered nicely now although she has some nerve damage to one of her front legs .

Cari

I just wanted to say "Thanks to you". I had no idea there was a website for handicapped animals!! This is truly wonderful!! My nine year old cardigan welsh corgi had surgery on her back on October 10 of this year. Having a paraplegic dog is new experience for all of us. She is adapting quite well and the Dr.s' say she should regain her mobility. She is progressing, but not as fast as anticipated.

Your website is very informative and has been added to my list of favorites.

Love and Thanks

Robyn and "Cori" Hiatt

You Go! Shaddy

The surgeon gave him a 10% chance of walking again. Our new vet put him on massive doses of steroids and kept him immobile for one week. After that week we started a series of acupuncture treatments. After four weeks of treatment the vet acupuncturist held out very little hope for him. He got his cart and took to it right away. Prior to receiving his cart, we carried him on his usual round of walks. We'd put him down on the grass at his "favorite haunts". On or about the second week of August he started walking again. Sure he walks like a drunken sailor on shore leave, but he is walking. He just simply kept walking out of the cart. He has started acupuncture again, which he is a real trouper about.

We'll forever be grateful to Dr. Mellina, who saw him initially, for suggesting a cart and acupuncture, instead of ""well we'll just have to put him down."

Here is Yodi, a 10 month old rat terrier.

On June 27th, he was attacked by a pit bull. He had to have surgery to repair several tears in his chest wall muscle/tissue, a blood transfusion, surgery to remove tissue that was decaying from the bite wounds, skin graft surgery to repair the area where the tissue had died, and in the end, had to have his left front leg amputated because the leg was traumatized, the tissue was dying, and sending toxins into his body. Ever since the leg was amputated, he's recovered wonderfully and is doing great! We're very thankful that he received the care that he did and we're happy to have our puppy back home and healthy

I have a handicapped pet. She was born with deformed foot. She does well with it. She is a little chi. I think when they are born this way they learn to adjust. This picture shows her little cripped foot. We love her so much and is spoiled rotten. She does not let this handcap slow her down. Anniemae

My beloved dog Smokey

My beloved dog Smokey suddenly went blind about two weeks ago; I am devastated, not only by this, but because he has other serious problems. He was taken to a kill shelter at 7 1/2 when his owner died; fortunately a rescue group got him out before he was killed but he was passed around for months. Then he and I got together and it's been true love ever since! Bless his heart, he not only is blind, but I fear an ignorant vet might have contributed to it. So I am angry and feeling guilty. Is there anything a guardian can do when we suspect a vet of being incompetent? I have now found a wonderful vet who not only treats allopathically but with herbs and acupunture as well. Hopefully the little guy can get some relief from his serious orthopedic problems. So I am so glad I found your site. I don't feel so alone.

Her name is Patches

She is a Chihuahua. She was born missing her front right leg, and they were going to put her to sleep. That's where WE came in! I went to look at a litter of Chihuahua's, and that's how me and Patches found each other. 4 weeks old, just sitting there while the rest of the puppies jumped and played. I had to have HER. I didn't want a "normal" puppy, as the people suggested. I wanted Patches. I paid the lady, and home we went. She is now 3 months old, and runs, jumps, plays with our other Chihuahua's, and even digs holes! The only sad part to this story is that we found out that Patches needs a surgery. 3 different vets have told me that she has to have that "stump" removed, because she tries to use it too much, and that it is twisting her bones real bad. They say that she will be totally cripple by the time she is 2 years old if I don't have the surgery done. The total price will be about $2,200. Chihuahua@bellsouth.net