Spotlight Terrier: Zoey

Jack Russell Terrier in need of medical assistance
Last Update:	May 7, 2007
Location:	Houston, Texas
Dog Name:	Zoey
Sex:	Female
Age:	3 1/2 years
Known Issues:	Luxating Patella in both legs; requires surgery
Background
My name is Zoey. I am a Jack Russell girl living with my foster mom Olga in Houston, Texas. Even though I look perfect I am not. I can barely walk on my back legs. Every step is agony. My foster mom noticed that I could not walk more than a couple of steps without lifting my back legs up - first one, then the other. I just skipped and hopped along. She took me to a really nice vet named Dr. Powell. He said I had luxating patella in both legs. I don't have any idea what that means. I just know that my legs hurt all the time. I have to have surgery on both of my back legs. Olga is very worried because Dr. Powell is going to do both legs at one time!! The surgery is scheduled for Monday, April 9th. I will let y'all know how it goes. Wish me luck everyone !! Zoey Progress updates are posted below.
Donations
Zoey requires medical assistance to treat her luxating patellas. If you would like to donate to assist Zoey, please select one of the donation methods below. Her total expenses are estimated to be $1,300. The meter to the right is used to show the progress of Zoey's donations (and your generosity!). Donate by Credit Card Donate by PayPal Donate by Check Credit Card Donation Russell Rescue, Inc. Attn: Vet Bill Donation for Zoey P O Box 4324 Lutherville, MD 21094-4324
Progress Updates
May 7 - From Zoey Hello Friends ! You should see me now !! I can do nearly anything I want ! When Olga is walking me I can lunge and bark at cars. I can dig my feet in and strain and tug on my leash. I can run. I can go for long, long walks. I can jump on all the furniture. I can dig holes. It is so great !!! My legs don' t hurt at all. But once in a great while, I will still lift my leg a little. It is a habit and I am trying to quit doing it. There is no reason for me to lift it. My mood has definately improved since my legs quit hurting. I am much happier and well adjusted and enjoy life more. I am learning to trust Olga and realize that she only has my best interests at heart. She is teaching me a few obediance commands, like sit, down and come. That last one is pretty hard. The others are easy. When I first went to live with her I could not sit down and get up without being in pain. Now that I am so much better, it is a piece of cake to sit !!!! Here is a picture of me sitting in my favorite chair. I can get up and down now anytime I want. Life is good for this little JR girl. I could have not done it without the kindness and generosity of strangers. I will be forever grateful for all of the help I received. Maybe now someone will adopt me. Zoey
April 26 - From Zoey Oh my gosh !! I can walk !!!! Dr.Powell took my bandages off on Monday. What an ordeal that was, but it was worth it ! I have been talking a few walks with Olga, but she still won't let me chase cars or dig holes. In fact, Doc says I have to go on walks to exercise my legs. That is great news because I absolutely LOVE to go for walks. The more Olga walks the happier I am. The smells....the sounds...the wildlife...the other dogs we meet..it's all good. And good for me !!!! I can now jump on the chair without hurting my legs. The bed is still too high so Olga is still lifting me on and off. When I walk outside I still lift my legs up a little bit. Olga was worried and was thinking the surgery was not totally sucessful, but Dr. Powell says that is normal. I kinda got into that habit when they were hurting so much. I don' t have to do it anymore but bad habits are hard to break. Doc says that in time I will get used to feeling good and quit doing it. I do have scars on each leg but that will go away in time. I was not allowed to lick them too much and they healed up nicely. Thank goodness , because a girl needs pretty legs. My life has not always been good. I have always been in some pain and could not get any relief, but now, thanks to many kind people, I am doing great. Next week I am going to dig a hole , maybe two !!! That's all for now. Thank you for helping me.
April 19 - From Zoey Hello Friends, Things are looking up for me. I am beginning to feel a lot better. Olga says I am in a much better mood. She took me for a very short walk today. It was great. Of course, Dr. Powell said no chasing cars, running, jumping or digging holes. He does not want me to have any fun. However, he saved my life so I am going to listen to him. Mainly what I do all day is lay around and snooze. I am still on painkillers and medications to control any infection but my legs are definately getting better. At night Olga has to pick me up and put me on the bed. In my delicate condition I certainly cannot be expected to sleep anywhere else. The weather is great here in Houston and I am dying to get out there and go for a long walk and see everything, but I have to be content to be inside for a while longer. Next week I get my bandages off and you better look out !! I am going to leap into action. Run, sniff, dig, bark,chase, jump, snoop !!!!! What, what? Olga, what did you say? What do you mean "not yet"? I am ready I tell you---ready !!!! What does "all in good time mean"? Anyway, next week I am sure I will have lots of interesting things to tell you. I just hope it does not hurt to get the bandages off.
April 12 - From Zoey Hello everyone. My surgery is finally over. I was very scared and worried in the hospital. Dr.Powell wanted me to spend the night so Olga could not get me until late Tuesday. Boy, did I feel bad. Both of my legs are bandaged up and they hurt !!! Thank goodness Dr. Powell gave me some medication that stops most of the pain. The ride home in the car seemed to take forever. When we got home all I wanted to do was sleep. Olga said it hurt her to see how bad I felt. I hate to admit it, but I was really grouchy. You will not believe it, but I can already walk a little bit !! The only place I can go is outside to use the restroom. Olga is waiting hand and foot on me. She is so sweet and I am trying to be a good patient. In a few days I will write again. I am sure I will feel better.
If you would like to apply to adopt Zoey, please complete an online adoption application.