Paddle foot was found at Branch County Animal Control. He was set for euthanasia by the gas chamber they use there. After seeing what a great temperament Paddy had, we could not allow that to happen. As you can see, from the picture, he has a deformed left front foot. After x-rays at our vet, it was recommended to see a specialist at Michigan State University. It was determined the deformity is most likely the results of trauma to the growth plates.
They also determined since Paddy is so young he is a good candidate for surgical correction of his deformity. The surgery would entail partial bone removal and the placement of an external fixation device while the bone heals. The device would remain in place for 8-12 weeks. The cost of this surgery is astronomical, something we simply do not have the funds for.
If we can not help Paddle foot get this surgery both veterinarians stated amputation would eventually be needed.
Our volunteers are looking for ways to raise funds for Paddle foot. If you have an interest in meeting Paddy or helping us help him, please feel free to contact us.

Paddy had his first public outing last week.
Here's what one of our volunteers reported:
Paddy went to Petco today for a few hours. The best part was the children coming in. WHAT a meeter and Greeter that little boy was. He saw the kids and got very excited. He just had to get near them and kiss them. Wow he sure loves kids. He had a great day. A lot of people really liked him. I can see why Marion got him out of AC.
When we got home he was favoring his leg tho. But, I wouldn't have taken today from him for nothing.

Liberty Industries has made the motion: for every dollar that is donated for Paddy's surgery. They will donate a pound of dog food for the prison pups.

We would like to thank Heidi and Dan Porter, Porter Photography get on the Paddy list....they donated photographic services and did such a nice job! Check out Porter Photography When looking for photographic needs..

Paddlefoot would like to thank his very special Angels for helping him


Thomas Porter
Danielle Bell
Marion Belding
Doreen Fitzgerald

Cathy,

I have a GREAT fundraiser that guarantees 50% profit to help raise the necessary funds for Paddy's foot surgery. Please contact me at cbuss@josemadridsalsa.com or 313-570-5315.


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I will help or buy stuff sounds great!

doreen

Hi Doreen,

Thank you for your willingness to help raise money for Paddy's foot surgery!

I need to mention that you do not need to be part of RPSM to participate in this fundraiser. Anyone can do it. Please contact me via PM if you are interested in doing this on your own.

This really is a great way to raise money, not to mention the salsas are delicious! I know that twodognite will attest to this!

Some of our salsas have won awards! Our Raspberry, which is a national award winning salsa, and our Roasted Garlic & Olives, are the 2 most popular sellers for fundraising.

An opened jar of Jose' Madrid Salsa does not last long in my fridge!

Cheryl

I will not only attest to it tasting good, but we will help by selling a jar or two for Paddlefoot or RPSM if you do it as a funraiser.

Cathy, Who do we send a check to ???

Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan

P.O. Box 83 Coldwater, MI. 49036

So far, we've got Doreen and twodog interested..........anyone else?

We have received a $1500 grant from the Onyx and Breezy Foundation in New York, and a $200 grant from Animal Nation toward Paddlefoot's surgery! Still have one and possibly two more grants to hear back from. So have gone ahead and scheduled his surgery for May 5 at MSU. Thank-you all for the help and support. Now good wishes and prayers are what he needs for a successful surgery! Helen, thanks for the vest making, we will use it in the future to raise $ for RPSM and other dogs with special needs. It will be a great tool! I did already send a thank-you to the foundation, as they needed other information as well, Marion

How much more do you need for the surgery? I want to help make sure he gets it. Renee

Hi Renee,

Thanks so much for asking about Paddy. We are so very happy to say we have all the funds raised for Paddy.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE THIS POSSIBLE!!! WE SIMPLY CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!
WE WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED ON HOW HIS SURGERY GOES

Any updates on how his surgery came out????

Paddie is scheduled for surgery on May 14,

We just got the call. Paddy did very well during his surgery. He is now recovering. They said he should be able to get his cast on tomorrow.. and if all goes well, he is scheduled to go back to his foster home on Saturday morning.
We will keep you posted as they are supposed to call again tomorrow to let us know how he is doing....

Thanks Cathy,
got a note from RPSM that said his surgery would be on the 5th, guess they reschuled it after the note was sent. Happy to hear everything went all right.

Thank you Doc...I know you helped in getting Paddy on his way to this surgery...

Yes, it was originally scheduled for the 5th but we actually had to move it back a couple of times, because all the money had to paid upfront.. it took a little longer than we expected. But the main thing is; the Doctor told us once Paddy is completely healed.. he feels; most people will not be able to tell he had this surgery or his "paddlefoot".

Paddy has a great future ahead of him We will post pictures when he gets back to his foster home and another update when we hear from them tomorrow.

:

We just got another call.
Paddy is doing well however, they do not feel comfortable putting a cast on him yet. He will be staying until Sunday.
They said his leg is swollen but that is to be expected. They do not want to put the cast on until the swelling goes down.
We will keep everyone posted.

COME ON PADDY you have a lot of people pulling for you!

GET THAT LEG WELL SOON

Thanks Cathy,
Here is hoping he is completely well soon !

Paddy is back!

I have attached a picture of him with his E-collar & his green cast. He has to go back Tuesday for a check up.
He is on leash walk only for the next 5 weeks.

The doctors said he is doing great but we need to make sure he does not over do it.

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!

Bless you Paddy!

Glad to hear that Paddy is doing well and that he is on his way to recovery!

Paddy went to back for a change of cast and they said everything looks great.

He is starting to put just a little weight on his new foot. He is still his happy go lucky self. He wants to play with the other dogs in his foster home but can not yet.
He has another check up in a couple of weeks.

More pictures to come soon.

Cathy, Thanks for the update. Happy to hear Paddy is doing well. Had my three at the vet today for snaps and DAPLPC all came back clear, Thank God.
Please post the new pics of Paddy soon.

Here's Paddy... blue cast this time.

Glad to hear your three are all ok too

Poor Guy, looks pathetic with the cast and cone, sure hope he is well soon ! Thanks for the picture Cathy.

Sure hope Paddy get better real soon.
Ella & Princess

Paddler went to MSU today for bandage change.....Dr. Guiot said he had a couple of beginning pressure sores developing; one very near the incision. They are not infected, but am going back on Friday morning for a recheck. Otherwise all is well, Paddle is feeling quite good these days and keeping him quiet is more difficult. Dr. Guiot is always impressed with how cheerful Paddie is and many staff know him now and stop to say hello. The clinic is an interesting place to visit, as there are always a wide variety of dogs to see, each with a story ..... today, there was a younger man with a beautiful black Great Dane that had jumped in front of his wife's car as she went to look for him and tore a tendon in his front foot in two pieces. Dr. Guoit had repaired it very nicely and there is only a small bump showing....hope Paddie's result is as good. He will take preliminary x rays after five weeks. Marion

There's lots more of us out here I'm sure that are rooting for the Paddler. I've been following his progress and I'm sure things will turn out well. Give Paddy a big hug from all of us and tell him he's got a big fan club that are praying for him.

Paddy goes to have another check up tomorrow.
The Doctor said if it looks good, he Paddy may not have to have another cast put on... keep your fingers crossed.

Latest update from Marion:

Well, off we went to MSU this morning for a 9:00 AM appointment. Dr. Guoit came out after x-rays, saying he good news and bad. The good news was that the bone has healed well and looked good. The bad news was that during the extra long time between cast changes (Dr. was in Europe) Paddle developed a nasty pressure sore that exposed the tip of the plate that was screwed into his leg. Dr. G. thought it best that the whole plate be removed so that the leg could heal properly. I looked at the leg, and could see the metal.....we could have tried to heal it as it was, but evidently the odds were not good that this would go well. So rather than mess with it further, I agreed that we might as well remove the plate now, while he was already somewhat sedated for x-rays. The Dr. made small incisions where the screws were and removed them and then slid the plate out through the pressure sore hole. It was about five inches long. Paddle now has to have the bandage changed every other day, Dr. Bronson will do it tomorrow and then teach me how, so it can be done at home. He is also on antibiotics.
Paddle will need to continue wearing the collar and leash walking for another month to six weeks.

The improtant thing is that the bone healing is correct and given time, his leg will become pretty normal looking.

Thanks for the update, was wondering how the guy was doing. good to hear that he is doing well and on the road to recovery.

Here’s a picture of Paddlefoot’s leg as of Friday….he is healing well, although slowly. Dr. Bronson is now using a stem cell based cream on the sores to help heal them.

He is such a trooper!

YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the latest on Paddy? I've just been reading his story, and I'm left hanging!

He went into the prison program August the 28th.

The first report from his trainer stated that he was doing very well, following all the limited exercise guidelines and that he and "Paddy" were just bonding and enjoying each other

YEAH YEAH

Thank you so much for the update! I am glad he is doing so well.

I am sorry this took so long to post but here is a picture of the foot all straight now. Thanks to all of you! It has healed much more since this picture was taken but I thought everyone might enjoy it anyway.

Paddy's first week in the prison and here is a small quote from what his trainer wrote in the weekly training report:

"Paddy is a heartbreaker. His bravery is touching. He is so trusting and allows me to gently patt dry his leg when coming in from outside and from the damp grass. All intructions for the care and exercise are being followed fully. We are bonding well. He is just precious. "