X-Rays and Rescues

Once again, I'm begging readers -- especially bloggers -- to help me choose a better hosting site.  I wrote late last night for about an hour, adding to and editing this entry, then SAVING it…only it turns out Blogger.com didn't care to actually save any of it.  Frustrating is not a strong enough word.

Daly-lookalike monument outside Denver Animal Rescue, made of dog tags -
It's much, much bigger than it appears here, 5/9/2012.

The good news: Daly does this utterly hilarious bunny hop when he bounds down steps and out into the back yard.  The bad: I've been unable to capture it on video.  It turns out that puppies are a lot like babies in yet another way -- they will do something entertaining right up until you're attempting to film or photograph it.  I'll keep trying, though…it's worth it.  Here's an alternate clip, with the bonus of him knowing his name.

Video: more of a run/hop, hiking down Mt. Sanitas

There is another reason that hop of his is so heartwarming -- he's extremely lucky that he can do it at all, especially with no hint of a lifelong limp or anything like it.  The break in his femur discovered after he was dropped off at Animal Control was severe enough to say it didn't look good for the little rascal to keep his leg, even if he wasn't euthanized.  The story was that he was put high up on a TV by some kids, and fell backwards, breaking his leg…and that story is complete bull, according to the veterinarian who showed me the characteristics of the fracture.  She said it was a step or a kick, without question.  Aside from the natural "who would do that to a poor defenseless tiny animal?" reaction, I'd like to add that if it was anything remotely intentional, I'd gladly return the favor to the perpetrator.

Seriously, someone could hurt this monkey?

(taken almost a month ago - he looks tiny)

That explanation was provided after Daly received a second set of X-Rays almost two weeks ago, to check on his healing.  It was still less than a month since his Easter Sunday surgery, so even an optimistic forecast would show that he's on the right track but still in need of some growth and fusion, right?  Well, that turned out to be nothing for a wonder-pup.  The dog's femur shows a complete heal, with no signs of the big break that interrupted it…and I'd be lying if I said that I had restricted his activity in order to see that through.  It's just crazy puppy growth, said the vet clinic, and while I agree with that, it doesn't change my belief that something pretty special took place.

Incidentally, I love that he's a Collie in one vet's opinion and an Australian Cattle Dog in another's…guess he's both, plus German Shepherd.  Post-racial, I should start calling him.

Look above the joint…that is a BAD fracture.

Less than a month later, look again! A fused femur.

The little wolf/coyote/fox/dingo went under the knife again last week, this time to get snipped…and I wish they were able to do something to force bladder control too, since every time I think he's house-trained, he manages to piss away on a rug without even motioning for the door.  Once again, his recovery from a procedure was really remarkable.  I was told to keep his activity to a minimum for a couple of days (riiiight…with two adult dogs in the house whom he just can't leave be), and to expect him to appear woozy and without appetite for at least the rest of that day.  One car nap later, he was his exact feisty self again, goading Bodie and Dana, eating away, and wrestling with his same-age girlfriend in the park.  I didn't even get one chill night out of his neutering!

Daly's Snoopy impression, while spooning Dana

I did end up with a very pregnant stray in my truck's back seat on the day I dropped him off, though…she was so scared, and so about to pop, that it was a struggle just moving her.  How did that happen, you ask?  Georgia Lee Cameron, president and founder of the nonprofit rescue who saved Daly, showed me around the state-of-the-art Animal Control facility from which she took in Daly, and from there, we took this poor mama-to-be on a ride.  One stop later, she was transferred to one of the outstanding volunteers for fostering…and probably birthing of a litter within hours.  Just a regular day in the world of Life Is Better Rescue.

Denver Animal Shelter, where Daly was dropped off.

One very pregnant and very scared stray.

Holy moly, Daly just caught a fly!  He's a regular Mr. Miyagi, only it didn't take him 70 years!  I watched him get captivated by a buzzing fly for a while, rapidly jerking his head as it zipped back and forth, and then take a few lunges with his tongue against the door glass, and then…zap!  Like a trained killer, he brought that sucker down and gobbled him right up.  I'm now totally willing to forgive the lack of notification before the pee incident earlier.  Puppies, man…what a trip.

One last: Daly copying big bro Bodie, as usual.

Once more, here are the links to LIBR's website and Facebook page.  They don't just do far more than their part, in immense voluntary time and effort, to rescue lovable beings and find them homes -- they pay for what they can to mend the wounded, as they did for Daly.  Please consider helping them in any way possible!

Life Is Better Rescue

Facebook: LifeisBetterRescue