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This is my second trip getting Cathy a burger. Hoshi ate hers. He jumped up on the counter and took it. I had just warned her to be careful. This makes the third burger he’s snatched from her. She was hopping mad. I just washed out Hoshi’s kennel so we can put him in there the next time we eat. Well, Hoshi got his treat for the day.
On May 22, 2011, a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri killing 155 and leaving over 900 homeless pets. On that day, the Leathermans returned home after attending the Joplin High School graduation ceremonies. Sirens went off as the tornado approached and Leathermans took cover in their basement along with their 10-year-old chocolate cocker spaniel named Sugar. As the tornado approached, Sugar panicked and ran upstairs hiding in her “safe area” under a bed. Mrs. Leatherman tried to run after her but her husband held her back. A minute later, the Leatherman home was blown apart.
After the tornado passed, the Leathermans searched through the debris that was once their home looking for Sugar. She was no where to be found. Luckily, a good Samaritan found Sugar in a drainage ditch blocks away where she had almost drowned. She was injured and unable to walk. Sugar was taken to the Joplin Humane Society. When the Leathermans arrived for Sugar they were informed of her injuries. The humane society recommended Sugar be treated elsewhere due to the severity of her injuries and because much of Joplin was in ruins.
The Leathermans transported Sugar four hours away to University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Columbia. After thorough testing, veterinarians discovered Sugar had traumatic ruptured discs (T12-13) in her spine. Internal bleeding had compressed the spine causing her paralysis. If surgery wasn’t done immediately the damage would be permanent. Sugar was rushed to surgery where small pieces of vertebral bone were removed relieving pressure on her spinal cord.
Two days after surgery, Sugar began intensive physical therapy including electrical stimulation to lessen muscle wasting. She also received hydrotherapy every day for a week to regain mobility. “With the water, the buoyancy it provides, it makes it a lot easier for them to move their legs so it’s a lot easier for us to see if she had any movement and it took her about a week to regain movement in her hind legs,” said veterinary technologist Stephanie Gilliam.
On June 14, three weeks following the tornado, Sugar was finally discharged to her family. She’ll continue her therapy and is expected to make a full recovery. The cost of Sugar’s surgery and treatment was graciously covered by the university.
MU Veterinary Team Helps Dog Paralyzed in Tornado Walk Again from MU News Bureau on Vimeo.
Apparently, Fontaine and Mylo are also Vancouver Canucks fans. Both can be spotted in their home town of Vancouver, Canada wearing Canuck jerseys. Fontaine dresses him up with various team colored outfits but ensures it’s nothing too feminine. “I don’t put anything frou-frou on him. It’s got to be boyish,” says Fontaine. Dogs wearing team colors is a growing trend in Vancouver. Owners make outfits for their dogs or purchase them in town. Ultimately, it’s a sign of affection Vancouver has for their canine companions.
John Waddell of Westcott Street in Northvale, New Jersey will be charged for allowing his two pit bulls run loose. A resident in nearby Old Tappan, New Jersey was walking their cocker spaniel early Tuesday morning when the two pit bulls attacked. The pit bulls were pulling the cocker spaniel apart when police arrived. The cocker spaniel was rushed to Old Tappan Veterinary Hospital but died upon arrival.
Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New York held their first cocktail party fundraiser last month in Manhattan raising $25,000. Donations came from cocker lovers and corporate sponsors through ticket sales and silent auction. Attendees were treated with a live performance from Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack singing “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” One guest was lucky enough to win private singing lessons from Flack herself through the silent auction.
Abandoned Angels will use the proceeds to pay for veterinary treatment needed for the many cockers in their care. “We have a lot of dogs in our rescue that are waiting for medical treatments and surgeries, so we truly appreciate any help the public may offer,” said Madeline Elghanayan, co-chair of NY Abandoned Angels Rescue. Dolores Rodrigues, rescue founder, was pleased with the event turnout. Rodrigues continues to raise awareness of cocker spaniels in need–the breed she loves so much.