My Graham had an accident...

[Corinna]

Where do we send the help?
I'm so glad he can be helped.

[KYS]

I know this is to late for
Graham, but for everyone else, you might consider looking into doggie insurance.

I will be thinking many good thoughts
for Graham that he will be as good as new, even though he will not be able
to jump around and compete in Agility.

Good thoughts and prayers.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Oh Leslie, I know how disappointed you are for Graham to not be able to do the agility, but he is so much more important to you as a best friend and you love him so much just as he loves you. Perhaps when he is well he could be a companion dog and visit children and older people in hospitals, he would be a hit with his great smile. The important thing is that he will be O.K. and be able to walk etc. and have a happy life.
I agree, where do we send the help?
Jackie

[tatsxxx11]

Leslie, I'm so sorry and sad that Graham will no longer be able to participate in agility I know how special a thing it was for you and he to share. But the GOOD news is, he will heal. And nothing can ever take from him his beautiful spirit, his love for life, his beautiful smile or his love for you.. Leslie, please give us the opportunity to help you and Graham. A big part of being a really good friend is having the ability to accept help and support as well as to give it. So please, let us help you and Graham, OK? And although it is too late now, I agree with KYS. Look into health insurance for Graham. There are some really great plans out there with extensive coverage at a low rate. Tell Graham we love him and are so proud of him. We're here for you Leslie.

[ November 11, 2001: Message edited by: tatsxxx11 ]

[AdoreMyDogs]

Thank you everyone for offering to help pay for this expensive surgery. I appreciate it with all of my heart. I am so glad and lucky to have you as friends. I can't accept that gift, though. I am not going broke from this accident, I am just not going to be getting a house as early as I had wanted. There are alot of people who have to cut corners on their bill paying, or re-morgage their houses, or get an extra side job...I have to do none of those things, just have to live in apartment longer then planned...and that is OK. I have made peace with that. I do not deserve financial help because I am fortunate to have the house savings, even though it's not much, and it is a huge drag to take so much out if the account. I have enough saved to pay for this surgery, and hopefully any future P.T. that Graham might need. I would not feel right accepting your loving gifts, there are others who are way more deserving.

I am honored that you would offer, though. Maybe the amount that you were going to send to my vet, you can set aside for another pet talker who does not already have a savings account, and they are truly worried about how to pay for an emergency, should one come up.

Hugs and kisses from Graham and I

[RachelJ]

I too am astounded at the cost of the surgery. I would have, like you, guessed in the $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 range. I was wondering if the University of Michigan had a veterinary school and if they did such a surgery, which might be less expensive to have it done there. That said, this vet appears to be someone you have some trust in and we all know how important that is.

[lizbud]

AdoreMyDogs,
I am glad you found a Vet Specialist you
like & trust, and that Graham can be helped
to get better.While the $$ amt. quoted for
a "best case scenario' does seem really high,
if it helps Graham to walk around again pain
free;I too would do it in a minute...
Just wish that the bill could be sent to
the Apartment Management Company. Graham was
at home minding his own business,when Apt.
Staff entered your Apartment.I believe the
maintenance person is culpable.
This should Never have happened.At the very
least,Graham should have never been left
where he fell..and you had to find him in
that state.
Graham is a very athletic dog(strong) and
should heal well.I wouldn't count him out
of anything in the future.
Strong Prayers being offered for Graham
and his Mom & Dad !!!

[Sudilar]

Graham will adjust to his leg problem. He's a trooper. I am so sorry about his agility career ending. I know how much he loved it. Life is so unfair. I know what you mean about financial priorities. When your furbaby is sick or injured, you do all you can to make him better. I willingly gave up my vacation to pay for Killian's vet bills this summer. He's more important to me than that. Good luck and keep us posted. We will be praying for him and you.

[Iditarodfan]

LESLIE, OH SO SOORRY ABOUT GRAHAM'S NEED FOR SURGERY. BUT, OH SO THANKFUL SOMEONE CAN HELP HIM. WHO KNOWS, GRAHAM, MAY SURPRISE YOU AND BE GOOD AS NEW. ONE DAY AT A TIME, LESLIE! ALSO, MANY OF US ARE WILLING TO ADD A FEW BUCKS TO THE VET. BILL. THINK IT OVER AGAIN. I WANT GRAHAM TO SEE OREGON!!!!!

[crow_noir]

Leslie, i am soooo sorry to hear about the bad news. i couldn't help but to start crying as i read about Graham's furture. i know things could have been worse, but they are still very aweful. The best of luck to you and your whole family!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Leslie, I too am glad to hear that Graham will be able to walk again pain free. I know the sadness you feel in not being able to do agility with him. Have you considered doing regular obedience? I find it just as rewarding. It may be the answer to keeping him around other dogs and giving you an outlet to work him. Check in your area for training clubs. I think you will like it if you give it a try!

Here is a link to a great Pet Insurance plan. I recommend this to all of our new puppy owners. pet insurance

Keep us posted on how Grahams surgery goes.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer:
<STRONG>Leslie, I too am glad to hear that Graham will be able to walk again pain free. I know the sadness you feel in not being able to do agility with him. Have you considered doing regular obedience? I find it just as rewarding. It may be the answer to keeping him around other dogs and giving you an outlet to work him. Check in your area for training clubs. I think you will like it if you give it a try! </STRONG>

The wonderful woman who is the ansthestesologist (sp?) at the vet specialists has 2 mixed breeds whom both have their CD titles, and one is working of furthering the title. I had no idea mixed breeds could get obedience titles. I do know that they allowed "pure breeds" with an ILP. I know that Graham has the potential, and he already has prior obedience training, although he's a bit rusty, so I asked my husband if that was an option in the future when Graham is healed. He loves to think, and he strives to please me. Without a "job" I think he will not be as happy. He loved agility SO much. I want him to enjoy life to it's fullest so I am strongly considering it. It's hard to think about anything financially, though. I do know that Graham would be happiest with something to do, becides just be my friend, but even that is fine with me...he's so good at being my friend

Here is a link to a great Pet Insurance plan. I recommend this to all of our new puppy owners. pet insurance

[/QB]

Unfortunately, I think it's too late for pet insurance I thank you for the site, but I don't think they will pay for pre existing conditions. I will certainlly get pet insurance for my next dog, and maybe after Graham heals completely from this surgery and possible P.T. I will consider for him. Thank you

[kobieeli]

So sorry to hear the news about smilin' Graham's bad ankle... I sure did like lizbud's angle on the vet bill, though--I wonder if a small-claims court would make the maintenance people pay even just half of what Graham's costs are going to be? (In a perfect world, they'd willingly pay the entire bill.)

Take heart, Leslie: Graham will get the best care, and he'll soon be the happy active boy you love!

[Albea]

Leslie:
In spite of the news about poor sweet Graham needing surgery, it's great to know that he'll be able to walk again without pain. After the recovery period, he'll be as good as new and then you can find something fun for him to do. Jackie had a good idea about training him as a therapy dog, especially for children with disabilities. With his smile and happy personality he'll be able to bring joy to so many Give him many hugs and kisses from us, we love him dearly (and you too )

[Dixieland Dancer]

After thinking about it for awhile I too agree that the best avenue for Graham the Wonder Dog is to be a therapy dog. Think of all the lives he can touch and make a difference in!