Wow! I LOVE this dog! We all do. AJ and I have a slight disagreement in fact, about just who’s dog she is anyway. (She’s mine, but whatever)
We are very thankful for Buttercup! She makes our life much better with her tail that actually does “wag the dog”, her slobbery kisses, and her big brown eyes. We almost lost her in June of this year when she was hit hard by a car outside our home (for sale) in Odessa, FL. The car had to be traveling at least 45 mph and it never stopped! I found her laying in the road, a sure victim to the next rocketship heading down Gunn Hwy. The whole scene was very traumatic for the whole family and we thought for sure she was a gonner. AJ was unable to speak, Jacob and Kim were crying…it was a bad deal.
It turned out that, in addition to many ”road rash” type wounds requiring stitches, she had a severe compound hip fracture. To make matters worse, it was soon apparant that her front left leg had nerve damage and she wasn’t able to put her paw down without knuckling down to her knee. The vets were really not sure what to advise because the nerve damage combined with the hip fracture basically meant she would be totally paralyzed, completely unable to walk.
I do love that dog. People who aren’t dog people don’t always get it, but I have tears in my eyes just writing about this.
What a gift!
They did the stitches and some other work under anasthesia and the next day sent her home. It was very touch and go for awhile, and there were two or three nights where we went to bed not sure if she would make it through the night. Kim, who was well trained in animal care, sat with her a couple of nights. For two weeks we prayed for her, and cared for her, and loved on her. I had to carry her out twice a day to go potty. I even had to whack my way through the thickest vegetation in the yard because she needed “privacy” in order to do her business. She is a lady.
Miraculously, she made it! Her nerve damage healed up and her hip got better. In six months time, she has almost fully recovered. She can walk, even run. She isn’t what you would call bouncy, but she can even jump a little bit. Sure, the rainy weather and the cold slow her down a little, but her attitude is never down…she is just happy to be with the family. We are very thankful for Miss Buttercup.
The whole thing also serves as a real example of perseverance, faith, and the whole idea of “Keep Moving“, just putting one foot in front of the other is enough sometimes. And if you can’t do that, somebody will carry you, or the Lord will carry you Himself.
One last thing….thanks SO MUCH to Dr. Saleh at Ehrlich Animal Hospital in Tampa. He’s awesome…even made a house-call to keep her more “comfortable”. (I forgot to tell you how she gets at the vets office, ever heard of Cujo?)
Hershey is a SUPERDOG Too!
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She’s cute! That had to be very hard for the family! Love your blog.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow….what a cute dog! totally huggable and even kissable.
Thanks so much for stopping by my holiday tour…
blessings…lylah
I love Ms Buttercup!, I have a Bischon named Brinkley and he has had 2 let operations, catrac surgery on both eyes because of the diabetis. He has to have a shot twice a day of insulin….yes I can relate to the unconditional love of our favorite friend. Great Story! Give you babies a special hug from us.
Polly and Steve
Oh my word – I love Sharpei’s. And yes, I’m a dog person – I’m a true believer that kids should have one and I am blown away by the unwavering love and joy they bring to a family.
I just came across a cute little dog breed called the orepei (I think that’s right) – anyway, it was a pug/sharpei mix and my son’s favorite, favorite dog is a pug. I so wanted this dog — and then I realized, what am I nuts? I’m taking care of 4 kids while trying to sell a house and my husband lives three states away. May be once we’re settled.
And I’m glad your little Buttercup pulled through.
Merry Christmas!
Hi there!
Wow, what an amazing story. I got tears in my eyes from reading it! I am so happy for you and your family that your sweet little pup pulled through. I know how hard it is to watch an animal you love suffer. One of our dogs ripped one of her back ACLs, and then a few months later, ripped the other one. We, too, had to help her with everything. Often people asked why, but for us it was never a question; it was just something we had to do! She’s back to her bouncy self now, and although she’ll never run again, she’s still happy as a clam. I am SO glad to see your sweet girl recovering. She is certainly a beauty.
Thanks for stopping by to see us on our blog. I have loved browsing through your entries! Looks like the family knows how to have fun!
Hope you’ll come and visit us again sometime soon.
Happy Holidays!
Oh…poor little Buttercup! I am sickened that some sicko hit her and just kept going. What is wrong with people?!
I adopted a dog for the first time just about two years ago, and I’d be lost without her! I can’t imagine what you all went through. I am laughing at, “to whack my way through the thickest vegetation in the yard because she needed “privacy” in order to do her business.” Hahahaha! Our Maggie needs total privacy, too!
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I love when Julia hosts house tours, because it gives the chance to spend some time at lovely blogs like yours! P.S. Your son must be a great kid…since he’s a Yankees fan and all.
What a cute dog!! I love hearing other doggie stories, esp since we just becam proud parents of two beagles in the last few months. They keep us laughing!!! I made a puppy piddle path in our backyard — we have over 24 inches of snow right now — and it’s a riot to see them tear through that maze. Even our older dog loves the maze — he’s part Springer Spaniel/Chow — and S*N*O*W is meant for him!!
I’m so glad you stoppped by my blog this morning! It’s been an interesting time of being “retired” — I miss the Air Force family and all that goes with it.
Merry Christmas!!!
ps I wanna go surfing in Oregon, too!!
I’m a dog person…so I totally GET IT. I’m so glad your adorable pooch healed up. How horrible that must have been!
Buttercup is beautiful! So is Hershey. Shar-Pei are very nice dogs. One of my kennel club members raises & shows them. Glad Buttercup healed well, hope she doesn’t get out in the road again, people are very cruel and poor little dogs don’t know any better than to get in the road, not a good combination. Glad her story turned out to be a happy ending & not a sad one! Enjoying your blog, you look like you all have tons of fun!