So Bravely Trying to Walk

This is me trying to walk. I do my best, especially when the other dogs alert me that my foster dad is home from work. We all charge for the door and he pets us and says, “Hi, how ya doing?”

But mostly I am content in my cuddle bed next to mom at the computer. And I love watching NASCAR with dad in the big chair with snacks on the side table. Once in a while a piece of popcorn or bit of cheese will “accidentally” drop on his lap. I’m ever watchful and quick to retrieve them!

Mom takes me out on a regular schedule to potty because I cannot walk through the doggie door like the other dogs. I am a good girl and do my business with nary a problem. Sometimes I just lie in the sun and watch the lizards and squirrels until mom comes back to get me.

Although I am in pain, everyone knows that I am a happy little girl because my tail is in constant motion. Once in awhile mom will say, “Hey, HoneyBear….did your metronome stop ticking?” And I’ll get all excited and start wagging my tail!

Tail Wags from HoneyBear

X-rays Show the Extent of my Injuries

The technical term for my injuries is: non-union bilateral radius/ulna fractures. You can see in the x-rays that the long leg bones have broken and healed at the side of my wrists. Ouch! No wonder I can't walk.

Mom says that we trying to raise enough money for my leg surgery. And it is a daunting challenge! For initial consultation, x-rays, surgery, antibiotics, pain management, weekly bandage changes, and follow-up exams over a 2 month period, the cost will be about $3,000. Yikes….that is a lot chew bones! Mom assures me daily that I am worth every cent. She is even going to take me swimming in the pool afterwards for physical therapy. Now I’m crossing my paws (and it’s not very easy) that some kind people like you hear my plight and make a donation in any amount. It all adds up…really. And if I’m lucky enough to reach half-way to our goal, mom will schedule my surgery. Please share my sad story with others.

Donations to Open Arms (Foster Care & Adoption for Rescue Dogs) for HoneyBear may be made in four ways:
1. Mail a check to: Open Arms, PO Box 354471, Palm Coast, FL 32135
2. Via PayPal as a “gift” to: Paws2Heart@bellsouth.net
3. Directly to Open Arms rescue bank account: Intracoastal Bank, 1290 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast, FL 32137, Attention Julie (HoneyBear’s personal banker).

4. http://openarms4dogs.chipin.com/honeybears-leg-surgery

If you want to know about Open Arms, me and other dogs currently in rescue, as well as many that have been adopted in to loving homes, use this link to go to our Petfinder.com website:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL691.html

Tender kisses and nuzzles from HoneyBear

Home from the Shelter

This is a photo of me looking a bit tired and bewildered after a busy day, but nonetheless safe and sound in my foster Dad’s arms. I’ll start my story at the beginning of what promises to be a long journey.

I am sweet four year old Chihuahua girl wishing on a star for a forever home one day in the future where I can walk and play like a normal dog. I lived in a cage all of my life having puppies for a backyard breeder to sell. One day that uncaring woman drove me to the shelter, put me on the counter and said, “Euthanize this dog. She is past her prime, has two broken legs and is no longer any good to me”. Luckily Open Arms dog rescue was there picking up another dog and saved my life too. My foster mom says that I called to her heart and she just couldn’t leave without me.

I am now safe in Open Arms, a non-profit dog rescue organization in Palm Coast, Florida. But now I am facing another milestone in my life. Shortly after coming home, it was clear that my legs were broken at the ankles through-and-through. I wish I could tell my foster mom how it happened, but she does know that the fractures were allowed to heal for a very long time without medical attention. I am now virtually crippled and taking pain medication daily. The vet says that without surgery, my condition will continue to deteriorate, and within less than a year, I may have to go to the Rainbow Bridge. I am not sure where that is, but I am young and really don’t want to go there yet.

Read my next post to see our plan.