This is Ella, the other disabled dog in Shreveport who was scheduled to fly out to us on Friday. We've been working with Rebecca Y. from Animal Welfare, Inc., a rescue group in Shreveport that tries to save animals at risk in the local municipal shelter. (Rebecca had been the one who sent us Timmy and, a few years ago, Trooper.) Ella had just arrived earlier this week at the shelter, along with three puppies. The shelter was not going put her up for adoption, given her disability, though they are going to make her puppies available for adoption.
Well, the shelter staff told Rebecca on Tuesday afternoon that Ella's crippled front leg was sore, infected and appeared very painful. This is a photo taken at the shelter on Monday:
Here's another view:
So when Rebecca called me late Tuesday with the news, we decided to pull Ella out of the shelter immediately and get her to a vet clinic in Shreveport. Yesterday morning, Rebecca picked up Ella and took her to a local vet. I gave the clinic our credit card information to pay for whatever care she needed.
And what she needs, the vet determined after examining her leg, is to have it amputated -- and quickly. The nub of her leg is infected and swollen, and has a raw, open wound. In the photo at the top of this post, which Rebecca took at the vet clinic, you can see what the end of her leg looks like. Here's a close-up of the open sore:
The vet thinks her leg is most likely a birth defect, born with a missing foot -- though there appears to be some kind of paw pad or dew claw near the nub. She's been dragging the stump on the ground and banging it around, and the chronic trauma to the end of the stump has allowed infection to take hold. The vet did not want to operate on her leg until he brought the infection under control, so the surgery is now scheduled for Friday.
I spoke to one of the clinic staff members today, and Ella is doing okay. She's on pain medications and antibiotics, and is now comfortable. She will stay in the hospital over the weekend, and then Rebecca will be taking her home to recuperate for a week or two before sending her on to us.
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One of our blog readers posted a comment about another volunteer air transport group, Animal Rescue Flights. Yes, we know about them, too. From their Web site: "Long transports present special challenges.
Transports of over 500 miles require special planning and may require
ground transportation for intermediate stops. Many times, the best way
to transport an animal is by a combination of ground and air." Again, there are reasons we use commercial airlines. 500 miles from Shreveport would have gotten Timmy to ... Kansas.
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Please vote for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! We're currently in third place, putting us on track to win $3,000 for the animals. Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
We're glad Ella will be pain free soon, we can't wait to see her personality shine when she comes home!
Welcome Sweet Girl!
Posted by: boundforglory | February 17, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Sweet mama-doggie. God's speed to her and everyone involved!
Posted by: Lisa | February 12, 2010 at 02:05 PM
Thank you Rebecca, Steve and Alayne, she's a beauty and when she's feeling better those ears up will be up and she will be gorgeous! Sending good mojo for fast healing~~
Posted by: sharon | February 12, 2010 at 12:33 PM
This is just a reminder why everybody needs to CLICK and VOTE EVERY DAY on the link below!! I sent these two stories to people I have asked to vote daily--it makes them realize why they are voting!!!
Angels have just saved two more!! "Oh when the saints come marching in!!!"
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 12, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Timmy and Ella are two more lucky dogs! I'm so glad that you were able to save them - they can't possibly know what wonderful things are in store for them!
Posted by: Suzanne | February 12, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Oh poor dear Ella, that must of been very painful. So, so happy she is now in the best hands possible!
I was involved in a rescue a couple years back of an abused & neglected mother pup...we can't imagine what they must go through in stress, pain and uncertainty trying to carry, birth and nurse their babies and sadly they are usually at the end of the line when charity comes their way. Everyone loves babies, it takes a special heart to care for the mothers.
Posted by: Sasha in MN | February 12, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Here's to a speedy and successful recovery for Ella! She is a lovely girl. Thank you for getting her the care she needs, and thanks to Rebecca for getting these great dogs out of the shelter.
I hope Ella's pups were adopted.
Posted by: Linda | February 12, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Rest up sweet girl. We can't wait to see you rolling this spring in your new Montana home.
Posted by: Chloe | February 12, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Prayers for a speedy recovery for beautiful Ella! Each day I read your blog I am reminded over and over again, There are 'Angels Among Us" You, Alayne and all of those who help you get these deserving animals into the loving arms of RDR!
Looking forward to seeing Ella bouncing around the ranch!
Posted by: Doe George | February 12, 2010 at 09:39 AM
She's such a beautiful girl! Once she is healed she will have such a wonderful life and only having three legs won't slow her down!
Posted by: Toni | February 12, 2010 at 09:05 AM
God love Rebecca!!! How sad that her puppies were worth a chance but not her. Many many happy days at the ranch!!!
Posted by: gayle | February 12, 2010 at 08:44 AM
What a lovely face! She will be fine without that leg bothering her and will run around the RDR in no time I think.. lucky doggie :-). One more to go on Monday?
Posted by: Jessica, NL | February 12, 2010 at 05:13 AM
I'll be keeping sweet Ella in my thoughts and prayers. I wish her a speedy recovery at Rebecca's home and look forward to hearing she's arrived at "doggy heaven" (aka Rolling Dog Ranch:-)).
A huge thank you for all you're doing for Ella.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 12, 2010 at 04:07 AM
Hurry & get well Ella so you can get to your new home at RDR!! You're gonna love it!
Many thanks to Rebecca for getting Ella to the vet. I'm sure the poor thing was hurting quite a bit. Thanks to Steve & Alayne for making it possible for Ella to get the immediate care she needed.
You prove to me every day there are angels on this earth!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | February 12, 2010 at 03:32 AM
What a beautiful girl Ella is. Sending good vibes for a successful surgery and a quick recovery so she can come home to the ranch.
I guess I didn't read far enough in on the website for Animal Rescue Flights on how far they would go. At least you've had wonderful care for the animals with commercial flights and that's all that matters!
Posted by: Ann | February 12, 2010 at 02:25 AM
healing and loving thoughts coming your way Ella. Life will be better from now on.
Posted by: Maree in NZ | February 12, 2010 at 12:36 AM
They are all so sweet -- I want to take all of them home!!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | February 12, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Good luck Ella in your surgery! I hope everything goes well so she can be at the ranch as soon as possible.
Posted by: Sandra | February 11, 2010 at 11:43 PM
not even to Rolling Dog and you're already taking care of her.... but with a face like that, how could you not??
Looking forward to a good post-surgery update!
Posted by: Kenna | February 11, 2010 at 10:17 PM
What a beautiful dog! I'm so glad she's getting good care and soon will be with all of you at the ranch...
Posted by: JC | February 11, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Good luck with your surgery, Ella Ella, and a speedy recovery. I can't wait to hear when you've reached The Ranch! You're sure gonna like it there.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | February 11, 2010 at 08:17 PM