Spotlight Success Story: Pip

Jack Russell Terrier in need of medical assistance
Last Update:	January 30, 2009
Location:	Virginia
Dog Name:	Pip
Sex:	Male
Age:	1 Year
Known Issues:	Broken right pelvis and right leg
Background
PIP is a 1 year old male JRT that was hit by a car and turned into a county shelter. He endured the pain of a broken right pelvis and right leg while awaiting his fate. A rescue volunteer, Cecily Jones, discovered him and contacted the Virginia rep for Russell Rescue, Inc. PIP is very brave and accepting of handling in spite of his pain. One can tell he is suffering but nevertheless he remains loving and kind. The vet says he will make a full recovery once his fractures are treated and healed. He has an appointment at Virginia Tech to have his fractures treated but it will be an expensive endeavor for Russell Rescue. Estimates from $1,500 to $2,000. More information will be posted when it is available. Progress updates from will be posted as we receive them.
Progress Updates
January 30, 2009 - From Pippin Hi everyone! It's me, Pippin! It's been a LONG time since I have checked in to let everyone know what's going on. Well, things are great! My mommy got married in August of last year, and we moved to Smyrna, TN, just outside of Nashville, TN. And boy do we get more cold weather and snow here than we did in Chattanooga even though it is only 2 hours away from Chattanooga. I LOVE IT! Who knew snow could be so much fun?!?! It's is especially fun now that my leg is stronger and healed up 100% since I hurt it really badly a few years ago. I can run, run, run. Sometimes all that running can make me a bit sore, but I just love to run and play. I also love to cuddle with my mom. She calls me her little velcro man, whatever that means. I also have 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and 1 foster brother to play with. I think we get a bit rowdy for mom, and dad is probably wondering what he got himself into, but they love us. I mean, who doesn't? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and I hope your New Year is off to a great start and good things are in store for you. Because of wonderful people like you, Jacks like me get a second chance at the good life, and I speak for all Jacks when I say, we appreciate it more than you know. And I want to say a special hello to Ms. Meghan, my former foster mom, and Mrs. Sandy for taking a second chance on me. I have got to be one of the luckiest dogs in the world, and my mommy is the luckiest woman in the world to have me....at least she tells me that everyday. Well, I am off to chase rodents, and get some cuddles from my mommy and daddy. Go give your furbabies some cuddles and don't ever forget about us Jacks in need because we will never forget those of you that help us. Love, Pippin!
October 18, 2005 - From Pippin Hey Everyone! I know you haven't heard from me in a while, but I have been so busy in my forever home. I finished my physical therapy, and I am doing 100% better. My leg still gets a little sore if I play too hard, but it's getting better and better everyday. My mama has become the Tennessee rep for Russell Rescue, and there have been many cool JRTs come through our house. I have had so many other dogs to play with including my brother and sister dogs, Jax and Zeta. The picture you see is of me and my mama on a fishing trip on the Tennessee River by our house. I loved riding on the boat. It was so much fun. I got to see my first fish up close and he was as big as me. I didn't really know what to think of him. He smelled really bad. My mama also had a basket put on the back of her bicycle that has a dog harness built in so that I can ride with her. Me and my siblings take turns going on the bike rides with her. We also had a opossum get in the basement last week. My siblings and I barked like crazy at the vents in the floor, and mom couldn't figure out why. Then one night when she came home from dinner, she saw the opossum in the driveway. Her dad set a trap to catch it, and then turn it loose in the woods. We begged her to let us play with him, but she didn't think that was a very good idea. Oh well. Maybe next time. I hope you all are having a great fall. The weather is great here, and I am loving life right now. Well, I have to get back to playing. I can't let the others have the squeaky ball for too long. I love you all, and I hope you have a great Halloween!!!! Sniffs and kisses, Pippin.
April 10 - From Pippin Hello Everyone! I am settling into my new forever home really well. My new brother, Jax (he is the brown and white one) and my new sister, Zeta, (she is the black and white one) just love me. My new mama loves me so much, too. It is nice to have everyone give you so much attention and love. I learned how to use the doggie door this morning, and it is just the vest thing ever! I can go out to run and play in the back yard with my new siblings whenever I want, except at night when my mama closes it I'm sending some pictures of me and my new brother and sister. Mama couldn't keep us still enough to take too many because we were so excited to meet and play. I started heartworm and flea preventative yesterday when I met my new veterinarian, Dr. Hawkins, and Monday I will meet my physical therapist and see what she thinks I need to do for my leg. I'm using it more and more when I run and play, but not all the time yet. I want to say thank you to all your support, emails, and help with my vet bills, and than you to Sandy and Meghan for rescuing me and finding me my awesome new forever home. I love you all! Wiggles and kisses
April 2 - From Pip I'M SO HAPPY! I'm going to have a new home soon! My new mama lives in Chattanooga, TN. She has a very nice house with a big, fenced yard and 2 jack russell buddies to play with. My new Mama (her name is Misty) has already started to make arrangements for me to have physical therapy. She is very excited about adopting me and I just know she will give me lots and lots of love! Thank you to all my friends who helped pay for my surgery -- you are the kindest people in the world! I will miss my foster mom, Meghan, but we both know it's time for me to find a "forever" home. I'm doing very well and using my hurt leg more and more. I especially loved the snow we had recently -- I liked spinning around in it and shoveling the snow w/ my nose! I feel SOOOO much better -- it's wonderful to be able to play again. Bless all of you and have a wonderful Spring!
March 15 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) We are finally back from Spring Break and boy was Pip glad to see home. While on break he had the chance to interact with my two Jack Russells at home. Emma and Louie (my two Jacks at home in VB) became best buds with Pip and reminded him that dogs have 4 legs not 3 and that he should start using the one he favors. He learned how to go up and down steps and now thinks this is the best thing since... Hawaiian Monkey! He continues to be my shadow and a huge snugglebug and has yet to bark except when I leave for class (or so I am told by my roommates) so separation anxiety is something we will continue to work with. He has an apt. with a physical therapist at the end of the month and in the mean time we will continue to work on his leg movement and more use of it. The best thing ever is coming home and having him be SO excited to see me and prance and run and wiggle around. Thanks to everyone who has donated to his cause! We all really appreciate it and by the looks of Pippin's wiggles he does too!
March 13 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) Pip did great while at home and I think it was so good for him. He a) had to interact with other people besides me and my roommates (one being a large male-my dad) and b) was forced to be around 2 other active Jack's. He stayed with my dad and dogs for 3 days while my mom and I went to DC to visit my sister. He was alone with the other dogs during the day till about 3 and still whines and cries but eventually gets used to it. Since he is my shadow normally he wasn't too sure what to do when I was gone- especially at night. Now he sleeps in the crate at night and gets to come up on the bed and snuggle in the morning. He has mastered the art of STEPS! and is eager to go up them...down not so sure about. He's definitely using his leg more which is good and his new favorite treat is carrots.
March 12 - From Russell Rescue Webmaster Pip is currently on spring break with Meghan. I will post an update when they return.
March 2 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) Pip got his staples out on Monday. The vet said he is making good progress and seems to have more feeling and control of his leg. He did a reflex test in it and got some response (but not much) which is great compared to the lack of any response right after surgery. There is still fear of damage to the Sciatic nerve but full use will return soon. He recommended a pet physical therapist in Pamplin Virginia that uses water treatments to assist in regaining use of limbs after surgery and Pip has an appointment to meet with her in late March. He continues to be the snuggler and isn't too sure about all this cold weather we have been having and would much rather snuggle into his crate with his monkey.
February 27 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) Pip spent the weekend with my boyfriend Tyler while I went home for the night for an appointment. He did great supposedly. He is getting his staples out Monday and seems to be using his leg a big more but still keeping off it for the most part. While home I got him a monkey stuffed animal which we call Hawaiian Monkey and he carries around with him. Will keep you updated more on what the vet says when we go in on Monday.
February 23 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) Pip, while continuing to be my shadow has now mastered the art of talking. Yes, talking. He makes these little sounds (some resembling monkey noise, others a small type of whine and others no words to describe). He uses them to let me know when he's done doing his business outside, when he's bored and wants to play and I'm not paying enough attention to him, when it's 5 o'clock and his belly in grumbling and others that I have yet to figure out their meaning. Since he can't yet go up or down steps and definitely not jump onto a bed- he throws his head back as if to point while standing next to my bed to let me know he wants to take a nap on something a bit more comfortable than the dog bed.
February 22 - From Pip It is soooo wonderful to have someone to love and care for me now! My foster momma, Meghan, has been giving me great massages and exercising my sore leg so I can get back the feeling in it. I feel so much better and am starting to want to play again. My favorite time is when my foster momma lies down and snuggles with me. I NEVER had any snuggles in my "old life". I'm so happy to be without pain and have someone pay attention to me! Thank you again to all my "friends" who have and who are continuing to donate toward my medical bills. Thank you, thank you to Russell Rescue for believing in me and being willing to help me!
February 20 - From Meghan (Pip's Foster Mom) Pip amazes me with his ability to be SUCH a snugglebug. He loves to snuggle under the covers and be as close to me as possible. He follows me around like I'm mother Goose. He has yet to use his leg - still holding it up like he did when he was brought in. He hasn't had any reactions so far to the medicine he is on and we are in the progress of housebreaking. Still a bit skittish around new people - for me... he's my shadow.
February 18 - From Sandy (VA Rescue) Pip got out of surgery just fine. He did have a reaction to the morphine shot (it was making him vomit) so they put him on a drip version which used lower, constant doses. This seemed to have done the trick. There is some concern that his sciatic nerve has had some damage (stretching) but it isn't severed. It means his recovery to full use of his leg may take longer since he can't properly use the leg yet (I guess it would be like having your leg "asleep" all the time). They will give us some physical therapy exercises to help him regain the feeling in the leg. The vet reported that he is wanting to be mobile and is in good spirits. Virginia Tech vet hospital is absolutely super! They call me 2 times a day - the vet tech in the morning and the surgeon called in the evening with a report.
February 16 - From Sandy (VA Rescue) Pip had his surgery on Tuesday and has been kept in intensive care today. He had a reaction to the morphine shots which were making him sick, so they switched to a lower continuous dose hoping he'd tolerate that. The vet said he hasn't shown signs of pain (he's such a BRAVE boy) but must BE in pain and needing the meds. The surgical site looks good and hopefully tomorrow they'll get him to use his right leg a little. Plans at the moment are for him to be w/ his foster mom as of Friday or Saturday.
February 15 - From Sandy (VA Rescue) Pip's surgery was today. I got a call this evening from his vet tech who said everything went well. He'll be on morphine tonight so he can sleep comfortably and in the morning they'll discuss when he will be able to go to his foster home, Meghan Byrne. While I was at Tech taking Pip to the hospital, I contacted Meghan who came over to be at his examination and the discussion w/ the vet. Pip will be fostering with her during his surgery recovery. It will be very convenient since she is a student at Tech and so can run him over to the vet hospital as needed. Thank you to all the generous folks who have donated to Pip's medical fund.
February 14 - From Sandy (VA Rescue) Pip will be admitted into the Virginia Tech Veterinary Medicine and Teaching Hospital on Monday, Feb. 14. What a nice Valentine's Day present for Pip - a cast!! It will be good to see him relieved of some of his pain and to have his bones stabilized instead of having a dangling leg.
February 13 - From Sandy (VA Rescue) Pip was in a in a shelter after being hit by a car. He is still able to urinate and defecate, can get up but just doesn't want to put weight on his leg. I picked him up and took him to my vet. He DOES have a fractured pelvis and a fractured femur. Prognosis is excellent that he will be fully functional after a pin is put in the hip bone and the leg fracture repaired. He's extremely brave, good-natured in spite of what must be terrible pain and very cute.