Paw Prints Animal Rescue rescued and placed over 400 dogs into loving homes last year. We are often asked about our rescues, what it takes to save a rescue, and how as an all volunteer nonprofit organization we can make such a difference. Champ is just one of over 50 dogs and puppies currently in our program. Each one has their own story of survival, as do the many cats and kittens in our program.

"I'm not really sure what happened. I know my leg hurts terribly. My old owners told the vet I fell down the stairs; the four vets who have seen me think otherwise; a few think I may have been kicked. Me, I'm not saying anything. At this moment in my life I am happy. I don't know if they can save my leg, but they are trying. Either way, I am going to find a great home with a family who will love me! My name is Champ and I am about 9 weeks old. They say I am a hound/shepherd mix, male, neutered, with a very badly broken right hind leg. I say I love chicken jerky (my limit is one small piece a day), being held, playing with Merlin's head (Merlin is a 90 pound Irish Wolfhound mix (I am 13 pounds ), giving kisses and just being a puppy. For now, I have to be confined to a small crate so my broken leg can heal - I get a short bathroom break every 3 hours, but I want to run, run, run! So please keep me and my leg in your prayers!" ~ Champ

Champ is a wonderful puppy! Crossroads Vet Hospital operated on Champ (kudos to Crossroads) and a pin was inserted in the break. At the same time, he was neutered. Unfortunately due to a better quality diet and deworming, Champ experienced a significant growth spurt (62% increase in body weight over a 2 week period) that pushed the pin out of the bone. He must spend an additional 2 weeks confined to the crate with a cast on his leg. If the break doesn't heal, and the funds are lacking for a major second surgery, we will have to have the leg amputated. Should the leg heal, it will be shorter and Champ will walk, run, play with a limp. However, nothing seems to faze Champ; he tries not to cry, he laughs, he hobbles, he rolls in the grass, he loves life and he is simply a joy!

UPDATE! Champ recently went in for the checkup on his broken leg. Bad news. The new bone growth which had developed over the past two weeks had cracked under the stress of Champ’s puppy energy and growth. So a decision had to be made: either amputate the leg or go for the surgery we couldn’t afford. Once again, the vets, techs and staff at Crossroads Vet stepped in to donate their time, expertise and facilities. As a result the surgery to “plate” the bone cost much less than it normally would have. Champ’s leg was re-broken, cleaned, straightened, set, plated, wired and bandaged. Champ isn’t a very happy puppy, but he has been given one more chance to be a normal puppy. Currently, he must be kept in a sedated state to give the bone a chance to heal. He has a bathroom break every 3 to 4 hours and is sleeping most of the time on his foster mom’s living room couch. Champ is on strong pain medications, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. When awake, Champ never whimpers nor cries – he gives puppy kisses and wags his tail as hard and fast as he can. He is being spoiled rotten and he deserves a home where the spoiling will continue.

10/9/09 UPDATE! Champ is keeping his leg! Following Champ's last surgery and the subsequent weeks of rest and recovery, the vets at Crossroads Vet removed the external apparatus and the internal pin. Champ is now in the rehabilitation stage and he is permitted to run, run, run and play with the other puppies. His foster mom lets him have the run of the house and enjoys his antics as he attempts to re-learn walking and running using all four feet.

Paw Prints is now accepting applications for a permanent home for Champ. If you think you can give Champ such a home when he is ready for adoption, please contact Paw Prints Animal Rescue by phone: 919-772-9107 or via email at: dogs@pawprintsrescue.org. If you would like to contribute to Champ’s considerable vet bill please visit Support Us. All donations are tax deductible!