Clementine’s Story

In one freak night a freak accident, my life and Clementine’s changed forever.
It all happened the night before Halloween 2009. I let the dogs out for their last pee of the night and then I heard it – screaming…a screaming sound I will never forget. I look out the back door and I see her hopping around with her front leg dangling with the other 3 dogs circling her – worried and scared. I ran outside grabbed her and knew this was not going to be a good night.
She was calm but in shock about what had just happened. I called my mom immediately, told her to come and get me because I needed to hold Clementine so she would not cause any more damage. She knew she was really hurt and freaked out that she walked into her crate and waited for me to get the other dogs inside and crated. Clementine was so strong but clearly terrified and in a tremendous amount of pain.
I am lucky to have an emergency vet facility not far from my house. I walked in – trying to remain calm for both Clementine and myself. They did not even say anything… they saw the leg dangling and took her to the back immediately. She was sedated and bandaged for her safety and comfort level.
The xrays were not pretty. She had a severely fractured Ulna, Radius and several pieces of bone were floating around within her leg. She needed surgery and quick.

Over a year later and several surgeries, therapies, and specialists – we exhausted all efforts – the leg would not heal and was still infected. Clementine is a 3 ½ legged dog – there is about an inch below her elbow left and soon she will have prosthetic from K9 Orthopedics in Canada. Not because I don’t like the way she looks – but because I do not want her good leg and shoulder to suffer as she gets older.
Like most owners who have furkids instead of kids – you want to do what is best for them. I promised Clementine I would try everything before taking her leg. She is happier now that she is not in constant pain with her leg and I know she will be great on her prosthetic and will be a therapy dog once more.