Little Nero's Guardian Angel 03-02-254Nero (n/k/a Bodee) is back in RAGOM care. Nero came to RAGOM as a shy 4-month old pup. He was adopted out to a loving family that notified RAGOM recently of his physical situation. Now an 8-month old pup, Nero/Bodee was exhibiting pain and some lameness when going on long walks and playing in the backyard with the other dogs. He wanted to run and play, but his body wasnât letting him. His adoptive family loved him, had taken him to puppy Kindergarten, socialized him with other dogs, children, adults and places to help him overcome his shyness. They did everything a family needs to do to raise a puppy to be a well-adjusted adult dog. He is now a very friendly, happy dog except for his hips. He was taken to a local vet who took x-rays and said that both hips have very shallow sockets and the bone rubbing on bone is causing pain and lameness. The vet didnât think that surgery was an option for a pain-free life for Nero and recommended euthanasia.
The adoptive home notified RAGOM and we stepped in, brought him back into foster care and contacted a well-respected orthopedic surgeon at the University of Minnesota. We are very happy to report that the surgeon very strongly believes that surgery for Nero/Bodee will provide him with a very happy, pain-free normal life. She recommended a triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) surgery for his right hip. Once that hip is healed and strong, rehab exercises to strengthen his leg muscles in both legs should keep the other hip in place so that one surgery could be all it takes to give this sweet boy a happy pain-free life.
On May 24, Nero/Bodee underwent surgery. He is doing fabulous! His foster home writes: âJust thought I'd let you know how well Nero/Bodee is doing! What a dog. He is really walking well, enjoys our "yard walks" every time he goes out to potty. We walk back to the back of our yard and all around it, up the gentle slopes back to the front of the house, etc. We've walked up the sidewalk a house or two and back several times. He occasionally tries to jump ahead or move into a run/quicker gate but I remind him "take it easy Bodee" and he walks along then for me. Each day I notice less "sway" and more weight bearing on that hip, it just seems too good to be true that he can move like this within a week of surgery. He hasn't bothered his stitches at all, they look great and he doesn't lick or chew at them. I have a hard time believing it will be July 4th before he can run or play! But for now he is doing well at a walk.â
Nero/Bodeeâs surgery costs are $2,500. If you would care to make a monetary contribution towards his care, donations may be sent to:
Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota
P.O. Box 5567
Hopkins, MN 55343-0492
Or you can donate using a credit card through the Network For Good (www.networkforgood.org).
