My Dear Wife's cousin has a daughter who is finishing her studies to be a veterinary, and during her internship, a small
terrier mix was brought into the clinic, severely injured by an attack from a Chow-chow. The little dog had a compound fracture
of the left front shoulder, a fractured veriibrae, and puncture wounds all over, including a severed penis. The people who
had him had not sought medical help for a week after the incident, and by the time they got around to bringing the dog in,
severe infection had set in at the sight of the worst injury, where the bone was protruding from the upper shoulder area.
They
had to amputate, and Anne got her first taste of major surgical experience. They removed the entire shoulder socket, scapula
(if that is what you call it), and closed it up. The dog nearly died, but survived, despite severe pain and suffering. Anne
took him home and nursed him back to health, but her situation made it impossible to keep him, and that is where we came in.
My
other Granddaughter has a pair of Chihuahuas, and I must admit they are cute little rats, and also that I allowed on a couple
of occasions that these little critters lend themselves well to motorcycling and to a sailboat...
So, to to cut to the
chase, we agreed to take the dog. Anne flew to Tucson with the dog on Monday, and we drove down to meet her at the airport
when she arrived. It looks like the deal is going to take. He is a charmer, and gets around just fine on his three good legs.
He has no clue that he is handicapped, and his left frong corner looks like it never had a leg in the first place. He is about
10 months old, still a pup, but we are going to get along just fine. He already is beginning to know his new name---TRES---as
in "uno, dos, tres," and is learning to "come," "kennel," and "sit." I do not plan
to teach him to "heel," as his gait makes it somewhat awkward. He goes on the leash well, and his house-breaking
is going well. We crate him at night, as he still may not have the capacity to "hold it" all night if not confined
to a little "nest." They seldom mess in their nest unless left too long and have no recourse.
In short, I
am conquered. This little guy has me by the heart, and we are going to have a long and happy relationship. Every growing boy
needs a dog...