VEGAS:  three legs are better than none

Lesa Ibarra, who has done boxer rescue in BC for many years, was contacted by a family about their puppy.  Her leg had been broken when she was eight weeks old and had not healed properly. The family were considering  euthanizing the pup because of the expense of a tricky amputation that had to be done by a specialist. Lesa kept in close contact with the family for ten days and finally the family surrendered Vegas to Lesa. 
 
Vegas is a 6 month old boxer puppy, excitable, full of energy in spite of being in extreme pain due to her horribly crippled front leg. Lesa immediately took Vegas to Canada West Veterinary Clinic in Vancouver where there are surgical specialists. Surgery was going to be around $5000, and that didn't include after-care. The options were to euthanize or amputate the leg.  The choice was clear to Lesa - raise the money.

Vegas had been using her crippled leg a lot and one of the bones was about to come through the skin. Lesa wasn't sure how she would be able to raise that much money, but she knew that there were people and rescue groups out there that would rally together and help this poor puppy.  Within a day or two the money had been raised! There are so many generous people who opened their wallets to make sure Vegas got the surgery and care she needed to be a happy puppy again, free of pain.

While waiting for the surgery, Vegas was put into an experienced foster home. She needed to be confined most of the time as she had been using her crippled leg a lot and one of the bones was about to come through the skin. 
 
The surgery was performed and within hours Vegas was up and confidently moving around.  At last she was free from what must have been agonizing pain. Lesa took her to Lori, an experienced foster Mom, where Vegas adapted very well to being a three-legged puppy and hasn't miss her leg at all it seems!  She hops around like she was born with only three legs and runs around the yard with her foster brothers and sisters.

When at last she was allowed to, she raced full throttle around the grassy yard with a huge smile on her face! This is the first time since she was 8 weeks old that she has been able to run like that, free of the horrific pain that her leg used to give her. Once "caught" she looked up into her foster Mom's eyes and stared at her as if to say, "Thank you so much, that was just soooooooo much fun!"   Lori says, "Vegas is enjoying herself like you could not believe.  Today she took off across my 5 acre farm and I was hard pressed to stop her.  It was sheer joy (and fear) to watch her.  The first time in her short life she felt no pain." 

Vegas with some of her new family, which also includes rescued horses, a pot-bellied pig,
and a goat who loves to be chased!

$500 was contributed by AAS.  When Lesa asked us for help, we said, "YES" of course.  Vegas is going to have the best rehabilitation that money can buy. 
AAS will send any donations marked "For Vegas" to Lesa
and we will send you a tax receipt.

See the ways you can donate here