Sammy is only about 1 year old and already ended up at a shelter in Utah to be euthanized. Dorinda of Samoyed Rescue of Utah came to get him. He came in to rescue with a limp and so she had x-rays taken when he was neutered. The x-rays revealed that he has hip dysplasia and is requiring surgery called riple Pelvic Osteotomy, which requires breaking his pelvis in three areas to align his hip back up with his leg (ouch!). Without this surgery, he could lose the use of his back legs early in life.
Dorinda is a fund-raising dynamo and has had several fundraisers, has contacted the local newspaper and TV stations to get support for him, has placed donation buckets and has done raffles and sold donated items. Go, Dorinda!! But she can't do this alone and we hope that SamUrgency can bridge the gap so Sammy can start on his surgery this month! Besides being a total cutie, Dorinda says he is a very sweet dog who likes other dogs and cats and is doing great with her.
Click Sammy to see the big picture
Dorinda's Sammy Update - October 29
Sammy had his triple pelvic osteotomy surgery today. I called the Vet at 1:00 and he was still on the table so I told her I would call them on my break at work. At 4:00 when I called, Sammy was awake, resting and all went well. I'm to call the Vet in the morning to see how he's doing and find out what time to pick him up.
Dorinda's Sammy Update - October 30
It's now 8:00 am, I have had 3 cups of coffee waiting for this hour and I just got off the phone with the Vet. Sammy is doing great. He's eating, went outside to potty and as the Vet tech said, he's just a champ. I'm going to wait an hour or so to let the morning traffic settle before I head out to SLC to pick him up.
Dorinda's Sammy Update - October 30
He's home and what a drive. Had to have the first season snow hit us. What took me 1 hour in nice weather one way, turned out to be an hour and half... little longer on the way back. He also enjoyed a Jumbone on the way home. He has to have a wrap to support his weight in his hind quarters for the next 2 weeks then he goes up for a recheck.
Dorinda's Sammy Update - October 31
I have a very upset boy here having to keep him crated while the other dogs are out. I feel bad but I know it's best...don't want him hurting that leg. I have a follow up set for the 13th. He's doing good. Doesn't like the sling but he's dealing with it. Got some snow yesterday and man is it cold. So far, no E collar being used but I know it's bothering him.
Update -- Sept. 4, 2004
To everyone who has helped made Sammy's life complete:
Words can't express how grateful we are TO EVERYONE who has donated money, their time, books, crafts, and all other items that were auctioned off on ebay and put in a raffle. We will be forever grateful to you for your generosity and all your efforts, because without your donations we would not have been able to afford the surgery and to have Sammy with us. If we could give big hugs to everyone of you we would and so would Sammy.
We would also like to give a VERY SPECIAL THANKS to Dorinda. We would like for everyone to know how hard Dorinda has worked to make Sammy's surgery a success and for all of the tireless hours that she spent raising the money needed for his surgery. We would also like everyone to know how wonderful Dorinda and her husband has been to Sammy in helping him get better. Larry (her wonderful husband) and Dorinda even made a special sling for Sammy after his surgery so that he could be carried out when he had to go to the bathroom. They all helped nurse Sammy back to perfect health.
Whenever we mention Aunti Dorinda, Sammy gets really excited because you see Sammy and Dorinda have a very special bond that Sammy will never forget, and nor shall we.
Without the surgery you all have made possible, Sammy would not be able to run, prance down the street, go on his special walks to the park, or play with his best friend Gretal (a very sweet female Rottweiler that lives next door) in the snow. He also likes to chase moths with the kitties through the house. It's quite hysterical to see this big white teddy bear sitting there with four little kitties staring at the wall waiting for it to take flight again.
Sammy is so happy and ever so grateful to be able to do all of the things that he loves without having the severe pain that he once had before the surgery. He smiles all of the time and he just wants to love everyone, especially children and yes he is careful with his leg. Even though it has healed he still remembers.
I could go on all day about how special he is and how much joy that he has brought into our lives and to everyone that he meets. There is not a day that goes by that we don't think of all of you and what you have done for Sammy and for our family.
Very truly yours,
Ounmany & Deb
If you would be interested in helping with the expenses of other sammies like Anna that meet the SamUrgency guidelines, please contact us at .
