Fredd came to Young at Heart in August of 2008, a beautiful boy who had been a puppy mill stud, cast aside when his legs were no longer up to the task of repeatedly breeding. You see, Fredd had been kicked, and whether his breeder knew it or not, Fredd COULDN’T use his legs well- because that kick had caused massive damage to his spinal cord.
When Fredd arrived at Young at Heart, we thought he had a little neurologic issue, because he often walked like a drunk man after a fun party! But it soon became apparent that his condition was rapidly deteriorating, and Fredd was rushed to a specialist. After an MRI and other work-ups, it was determined that Fredd had a spiral fracture of the spine in two separate places, and needed surgery immediately if he was going to keep the use of his legs. The surgery was risky and would take a long recovery period, but Fredd’s foster mom was up to the challenge, and Fredd’s spirit was so amazing, we had to give him the chance.
In October, Fredd underwent a two hour surgery to correct the spinal fractures. He had an 80-90% chance of recover, enough to let him keep the use of his back legs. We all held our breath and prayed. For a few days, it was a rough go of things, and we left it to Fredd to decide when he was ready to push himself. And then, Fredd started recovering by leaps and bounds, first walking with assistance, then by himself as the weeks went on. We knew all was well when Fredd lifted a hind leg to pee! Joy! Because of the long term care of Fredd’s condition, we knew it would be a while before Fredd could be put up for adoption, so we worked on getting him stronger. Little did we know then that Fredd would soon become a permanent resident of Young at Heart.
UPDATE 1/4/2009 –Hi, it’s Fredd! Happy New Year! This new year started off with a bang- I was walking, and I followed foster mom and my brothers and sisters all over the house and yard. I was gaining muscle and I have to say, I was looking pretty buff! And I’m a buff cocker spaniel! Hah!
But only a few days into the new year something happened. Did you ever feel like you just couldn’t catch a break? Well, I understand. It seemed that as soon as I was getting the hang of walking again, my back started to hurt. On Friday of the New Year I went for a walk around the neighborhood and was feeling OK, happy to see people and smell new smells. Then the next morning I woke up and couldn’t move. I’d been though this before. Not good.
Yep, I was paralyzed again. So back to the doctor I went, who said the bad infection that had been in my back had returned. I really thought we had gotten rid of it with those seven weeks of pills! But apparently it was a strong little germ and it liked my spine, so back it came. Stronger than ever. Like a Terminator movie.
So now I am on really strong pills and I don’t feel good. My tummy is upset and the doctor says I may be on pills for the rest of my life. She also told mom some stuff I won’t repeat here, but it made everyone very sad.
So here is the good news! Young at Heart made me a “sanctuary dog”, which means I get to stay here in my foster house with my foster brothers and sisters for the rest of my life! They will take care of me and I will give them kisses and be my usual sweet self (except when I really hurt. Then they forgive me the occasional growl).. I’ll even share my squeaky toys with them.
I hope to be here a long time, and I will write you often and let you know how I am. Young at Heart is graciously paying all my doctor bills ( those pills aren’t cheap!) and I sure would appreciate any help you can give them. Thanks and remember, when life hands you lemons, just squeak your squeaky toy!
UPDATE 2/6/2009 — Hi Everybody! It’s Fredd! Guess what I did yesterday? I scratched my ear with my rear leg! Like a real dog! Now you may think that is a “so what” kind of thing, but for me it was a real victory! I haven’t been able to do that for as long as my foster family has known me. It’s a really big deal!
I am feeling better and walk all over the place now. I have a very wobbly gait, and my rear legs and hips swing out all over the place. I tell foster mom I am doing my Elvis imitation. Thank you very much.
I am still on the pills for the bad infection in my back and will be on them for a long time. We tried going off them and that’s when all the trouble started again, so my great vet says
I will stay on them for a while longer. Foster mom is pushing for forever. She doesn’t like it when I hurt- neither do I !
So if I keep doing well I may get to visit you all at our next adoptathon. Come on out and see me and my other friends who are looking for great new homes, like yours! And thanks again for helping pay all my vet bills by sponsoring me. I appreciate it!. As Elvis would say- “thank you very much!”
UPDATE 03-07-2009 — Hi, it’s Fredd! Happy Spring! Now that spring is here I am trying to get into shape and so I have taken up yoga. I almost have this “downward dog” thing down ! Now never in my recent life would I have been able to bend my back and have my front down and my rear up in the air- but now I almost can! I am feeling really good now. Still on the pills for the infection in my back, but I am mostly off the pain pills. Good, because there are just so many pills I can be expected to swallow in one day!
I walk all the time- I rarely stop- maybe I am afraid that this is all a dream and if I stop I won’t be able to start again. I play ball in the back yard with my dorky sister Daphne the cocker spaniel- foster mom throws the ball and we all run after it. I mostly bunny hop and with my twisted back it looks as if different halves of me are going in different directions, but I get there! A few times I have even gotten to the ball first and then, boy, do I show it off! I carry that ball all over the yard and I hold it up high for every dog to see. Look at me, dogs! Fredd is back!
And thank you for helping me get back! I will be on these very expensive pills for a very long time so I really appreciate your continued support and sponsorship. I hope to see you all very soon! Love, Fredd!
UPDATE 10-19-2009 — Hi, everybody! It’s me, Fredd! Your favorite TV star. Yes, it’s true that I have been on WGN TV’s News at Noon TWICE now. They can’t resist me. But I don’t let it go to my head. I am just glad to be there to represent for all the other dogs at Young at Heart. And I am glad that now I can walk, almost run, from my dressing room to the studio! Only six months ago, on my frst TV appearance, I had to be carried to the studio. This past week I ran ( well, bunny hopped) after my foster sister Bear as she trotted to the studio. Hey, I didn’t want her stealing my face time!
I am feeling great. This has been a great summer- enjoying walks, sun baths, and lots of snuggles with my foster family. I still have to take pills and get some daily therapy ( specific exercises for my problem areas). But hey, we all have problem areas as we get older!
I am so grateful to all of you who have helped sponsor my recovery. I will be working at things for the rest of my life, so I thank you all in advance for your continued support. As the spine issue is getting better, some other “old age” type issues are appearing, but I just keep putting one paw in front of the other. Keep reading my sanctuary updates- we can all grow old together!
thanks and love,
Fredd!
