Bear is currently under the care of DFW Samoyed Rescue. He came to rescue with a serious dental problem, hip dysplasia and bone spurs. His dental problem is under control but he will need a fermoral head reduction operation.

Bear definitely knew the right person to wander up to at a Texas mall parking lot. The woman he picked out happened to be a vet tech, who promptly took Bear to her clinic for examination and kept him there while a search was held to find his owners. Bear was in obvious pain, unable to put pressure on his rear legs. To make matters worse, he had a horrible dental problem with gum disease and many loose teeth. Thanks to his friends in rescue, his teeth have been fixed, though he will need daily tooth brushing for at least a year, in order to save the remaining teeth. The bad news is that Bear has unilateral hip dysplasia and bone spurs, probably from being hit by a car. He will need to have a surgical procedure, femoral head reduction, in order to eliminate his pain and enable him to use his back legs again. This procedure will cost approximately $1000.

Bear went in the hospital at 7:35 AM this morning. The doctor was on the phone at 9:30 saying the surgery had gone very well and he was waking up. He removed the spurs and the head of the femoral bone. He said the head was quite arthritic and inflamed and he thought he would do much better. By 1:00 pm, Bear was sitting up in his crate - unbelievable. We pick him up tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming but it is definitely looking up for this little guy. I thought his foster mom, Michelle, was going to break down and cry in the middle of the clinic but she stayed pretty calm. She had to go home with no Bear, at least I got to go to work and keep busy so I didn't have to think a lot about it.

Lynn's Bear Update - April 9

Bear is home. We picked him up at 1:40. He doesn't look real well with that shaved leg. He is putting a little pressure on it - which is good considering the short timeframe. The doctor seemed pretty pleased.

Michelle's Bear Update - April 9

Well we have Bear home now!! That is a blessing, but now is when I start to fret and worry! His whole left back leg from his hip to just above his foot is shaved, and part of his stomach. His incision is pretty big on his hip. Our job for the next 10 - 14 days is to keep him quiet without alot of movement, except to go out and go potty! He seems in good spirits, hasn't cried, or acted like he hurts, but then again with as much pain as this guy has been in, this is probably nothing! We have a big crate to put him in and its a good thing we did get it cause Ricky was about on top of the crate trying to figure out what was up with his leg! I can imagine if Ricky could actually get to him! They gave us an Elizabethian collar, but we havent had to put it on him as of yet, cause he is leaving his incision alone, SO FAR! The minute he starts messing with it, we will have to put it on him, and let me tell you this thing is big... Nothing within a foot can be anywhere near him or he will run into it!!

Lynn's Bear Update - April 15

Bear isn't doing so well. He went back to my regular vet today. He hasn't been eating and has had diarrhea. My sister cooked chicken/rice, ground beef with cottage cheese and we took it to him yesterday. We also took baby food sticks, yogurt and frosty paws. He ate a little but not very much. I had Craig and Michelle take him to the vet today. They pulled blood work, gave him a shot, put him on flagyl, etc. We are just waiting for results. The incision looks clean and isn't red so we are not sure what's going on. Craig said that he did eat an oatmeal raisin cookie tonight but not the other stuff. Vet says that if he doesn't improve, he may have to spend a few days in the hospital. Keep him in your prayers. This little boy has come a long way to go down hill now. He is suppose to go back Thursday for suture removal and to start physical therapy but we have to get him over this first. Please keep him in your prayers.

Lynn's Bear Update - April 16

Bear is doing better today. His white count is high and his eocenophils are high but the medicaiton seems to be doing the trick. My vet seems to think his infection is bacterial, nothing to do with the surgery - or possibly even do to with parasites. Foster mom and dad is taking another stool check. Bear didn't have anything to check yesterday. Bear's incision is nice and clean - there has been no oozing and its not warm. The shot and pills seemed to have done the trick. As of about 4:00 pm, he had eaten a couple of meals (ground beef, rice and cottage cheese along with a few baby food sticks). Even more so, his attitude has improved immensely. He goes back to the orthopedic doctor on Thursday.

Michelle's Bear Update - April 19

We just got back from The surgery center where Bear got his stitches out, and we saw a Physical Therapist! All went well and the PT said that Bear was doing great, and was where he should be with having this kind of surgery. YEAH!!! She gave me some excercises to do with him and showed me how, and just talked me through the rest! We are going to be smooth sailing from here on out!! I just have to work with his leg alot! He will be running and playing with Ricky in no time.

Lynn's Bear Update - April 30

I just saw Bear a few minutes ago and got some new pictures. Its been three weeks and he is starting to put some weight on his leg (unbelieveable). He is off of pain medication and seems to be doing great except that I think Michelle is spoiling him a little too much. He is a little on the bossy side right now.

Again, thanks so much.

Lynn's Bear Update - July

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