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Missy's recovery

Missy's leg was treated at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Their orthopedic surgeons discovered that Missy had a pin in her leg.

She had probably been hit by a car before being abandoned. Someone somewhere had cared about her at some point. But she was abandoned with the pin still in her leg, where is pressed painfully on her sciatic nerve. What's more, the break in the femur had never healed and still bore a huge crack.

At the University, the pin that had caused her such pain for four long years was removed, and a stainless steel plate put over the fracture in the femur to stabilize it. With these repairs, Missy was at last pain-free, but the damage to her leg might be permanent.

The rehabilitation department asked an orthopedic specialist who makes braces for people with disabilities if a device could be made for Missy.

Missy was measured by the orthopedic specialist and a special custom brace was made for her bad leg. The brace, which Missy wears at all times unless she is sleeping, holds her foot in the correct position so that she can walk almost like a normal dog.

Emergency Medical Care Fund

Missy's story illustrates animals' natural ability to make the most of extraordinary measures taken on their behalf.

Home for Life's Emergency Medical Care Fund is available to care for abandoned and stray animals admitted to the sanctuary with a serious or life threatening injury or illness.

To donate to the Emergency Medical Care Fund, fill out our online donation form, email us at info@homeforlife.org, or call our toll-free number: 1-800-252-5918.

Missy's Story

Missy in a field with daisies
Missy reflects on her new life and new friends. More photos: Missy stands with confidence in her orthopedic brace | the brace helps her walk | back to original

Missy is a dainty black and tan Chow Chow cross who came to HFL from Florida. We are not sure of her age but she is at least 5 or 6. Missy was abandoned as a young adult at a wildlife refuge, where she spent for at least four years. She had an injured rear leg at the time and could put no weight on it. The refuge fed and watered her, but left her chained to a dog house and did nothing for her leg. As the years passed, and Missy was left neglected, the leg atrophied and her foot curled under. Missy was a timid dog and did not readily meet new people.

In late 2005, when the refuge decided to close, Missy was scheduled for euthanasia. The refuge assumed that, with her shy and retiring personality, withered leg and breed, nobody would be interested in giving Missy a chance.

Thankfully for Missy's sake, a Florida rescue group volunteered to assume control of her. They did not have the resources to help her with surgery or rehabilitation and they did not feel that she could be adopted out. Yet they felt that it was too cruel to put her down after she had endured four painful years chained to a doghouse. The group found Home For Life® on the internet and inquired if we could help.

One of our donors paid to have Missy flown north to our sanctuary. She arrived in the Twin Cities early in the spring of 2006 to begin a new life.

Missy standing among wildflowers and smiling
Missy, all groomed and smiling. More photos: Missy and animal care specialist Janelle Downie | back to original.

First, Missy was groomed. Her black fur, once cleaned, was soft and fuzzy and she resembled a cuddly bear. Missy is a very feminine dog and was given a beautiful new collar with pink jeweled flowers as a symbol of how she was now cherished after all she had been through.

Next, the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital treated Missy's leg (see right column). Although her leg may be permanently damaged, the efforts of their orthopedic specialists have eliminated her pain and enabled her to resume normal dog activities like walking and playing!

After so many years without a kind word or touch, enduring neglect and so much pain, Missy is still wary and timid but has always been gentle and obedient. The vets at the University even remarked that she was easy to handle despite her obvious pain and the reputation of her breed.

Some of the aloofness is a trait of the noble Chow Chow, and some is a vestige of Missy's sad, lonely and hard years. Missy will never be alone again and will always be loved and cherished at HFL for the sweet, shy and brave soul she is.