Hit by a car

[Leanne]

Our 9 month old GWP got out of the house today and got herself a couple miles from home and hit by a car.  Really windy here in Sequim and our front door blew open (this has happened one other time) while we were out.  Got a call from some ladies that picked her up, the person who hit her did not stop, they called our vet and waited for my fiance to pick her up.  I met him at the vet....

She has a broken back femur, and a concussion as far as the vet could tell without stressing her too much.
She was stable as of 3:45 PM and will need and operation to either pin the leg and hope for the best or amputate.  To be honest as long as she comes home I could care less if she has 4 legs or 3.

Today was the worst day we have had in years.  Anyone else ever had to make this decision?  Please send her (Bonnie) some good vibes, prayers, whatever you do to help her be strong.

Just needed to tell people who understand what it is like to have a dog actually be a family member....and my fiance is pretty level headed and is about done hearing me mope about it, to him it is like this, She will come home and she will heal, we couldn't have known it would happen, she will be our dog, 3 legs or 4.  To me it is like, why wasn't I home, she is so young, scared, hurt and I have an overwhelming feeling of guilt, and a huge decision to make for her.

Here she is with our beagle and our daughter.

[NWBREW]

Sorry to hear that. Yeah, i had a dog that was hit by a car. Was just a family dog afetr that but that's ok. He lived for 14 years and passed last month. I hope all goes well for you, your family and your dog.

[Stilly bay]

at nine months old your pup is going to heal up so fast your head is going to spin. I will bet good money you guys will be hunting the 2012/13 season.

my gordon got creamed a few years ago because the person who was boarding him for me was careless. I spent a fortune for the emergency surgery to put his hip back together. I spent countless hours working with him for physical therapy. I spent even more money  that I didn't have in follow up vet bills. and this season he paid me back in full and then some with a full recovery.

sending some mojo your way. good luck.

[Grizzly95]

They are only pets the first day, after that they are a family member. I have had to make tough decisions about ours.   We recently had to give up our labs because they are cat killers. Not a cat fan, but my daughters are and that's enough to answer the question, There is more to the story.....but in your shoes; my bro has a heeler that took a bullet to the left rear as a pup and they did surgery to try to save the leg. Well it did too much tendon damage and they took the leg off, she is the only heeler I like and the sweetest dog. She keeps up with everyone just fine. Down isn't out, give the pup an what you can and you will be rewarded. They only know how to survive and love.

[Happy Gilmore]

Glad to hear she's alive! Dogs are tough. I bet she'll heal up fine. Much better than the alternative. Best wishes for her recovery!

[Hornseeker]

Every case is different, but just from what you said, I'd bet the pup will be OK! We've had several run over through the years as well as friends dogs. The ones that didn't die on the spot ALWAYS came back. Incredibly resilient animals (well, most animals are)... I'm sure their are many folks that have had worse experiences. Dont feel guilty, it sounds like you were taking good care of her... Chit happens... and sometimes it sucks.

Keep your chin up and keep us posted!!

[gasman]

I can feel for you and your family......I lost my first choco lab at 9 months. He was hit by a car but died instantly. It was teh sadest day of my life, he was my best friend 

Then, this last Sept, I ran over our Yellow lab. $2500 and 3 months later she is as good as new 



My prayers are with your family for a sped recovery 

[Leanne]

There were too many factors playing into her healing and keeping the leg, muscle issues, how the bone broke was an issue, it could turn out to just become useless and hang there like a peg leg, she comes home tomorrow a 3 legged dog, we decided one operation with a great success rate was better than one operation where things could go wrong and the recovery was long and she might lose the leg anyway.  We are just glad she is coming home, 4 legs or 3 she is still part of our family and we plan to give her a happy life.  I will keep you posted on her progress...

[Leanne]

this makes us hope....she will never be a champion, but she can do things she loves.

http://www.itchmo.com/three-legged-dog-is-champion-hunting-dog-3375

[Heredoggydoggy]

Knew a guy who had a 3-legged Brittany Spaniel.  One hind leg.  That dog could do anything a 4-legged dog could do.

Dogs aren't as big a whiners as people are.  (Pardon the pun!)

[RadSav]

We had a neighbor growing up that has a 3 legged Springer.  Even with only one hind leg I've never seen a dog that could kill rabbits and cats faster.  Not only one of the quickest dogs ever, but also one of the happiest.  He's probably the reason I've been a Springer guy my whole adult life.  Though none I've had came close to the spirit of that neighbors dog.  I'll never forget him.

[Happy Gilmore]

I saw a Visla with a severely deformed front leg(unusable) pass a Master Hunter Pointer test last year.

They can do anything! I bet you'll be constantly amazed once everything is healed up! hope all goes well.

[Hornseeker]

Sorry to hear that Leanne, but as mentioned..I too have seen some 3 legged dogs that could really get around!

[Leanne]

Really feeling like a piece of *censored*.  What a worthless day.  So angry i could just scream.  There is so much guilt in my heart.  How can this happen to your best friend?  This is way harder emotionally than i anticipated.

[BOWHUNTER45]

thats to bad Leanne .... hopefully things will be o.k ..those are 2 fine lookin dogs you have there.... I have a beagle and I know how good the wired hair is or I should say will be 

[gasman]

Really feeling like a piece of *censored*.  What a worthless day.  So angry i could just scream.  There is so much guilt in my heart.  How can this happen to your best friend?  This is way harder emotionally than i anticipated.

Dont feel guity, you were not the one who ran over the dog.......


Not like I did  Now that causes guilt, trust me 

[Leanne]

so just an update, most likely the last one I will post to this thread...

Bonnie is home, three legged and gets her stitches out on the 8th.  She still loves eating, she still loves life and she still loves obsessing over the birds at the bird feeder!

I hope to start a thread next grouse season if she is feeling up to going out and looking for critters next season, if not I am sure I will post the occasional picture of her and our beagle.

Here she is right after she got home on Tuesday.



Here she is a few days later watching a movie on the couch...she is wearing shorts to keep her stitches clean...

[Happy Gilmore]

She looks great! Bring her over to my house when she's rolling and we'll put her on some birds!

[Hermit]

Good looking dog. Even though I don't know you I've been thinking about your dog all last week. {ever since I first read your thread} I've been hopeing she'd be alright. 3 legs and alive ain't bad.  I'm glad to see she's alive.