Meet Charlie

                                                                  Meet Charlie!

On a Monday afternoon, at the Community Veterinary Center's low-cost clinic for low-income pet owners, this giant dog walked through the door. His gray face revealed his years as he looked around the room. He didn't look entirely happy about being there. His Dad spoke soft words of encouragement and Charlie lowered his massive body to the floor.

Charlie's owner had brought in his enormous friend because of the sores between his toes.

After all the paperwork establishing his owner's level of income, Charlie stepped on the scale in the waiting room. The numbers flew past and finally settled on 167 pounds. The big boy was ten-years-old, unusually old for a dog his size. That speaks highly of the love and care his human showers on his big pal. But it wasn't always that way. Ten years ago, Charlie was purchased as a puppy by another person and taken home to live in a cramped trailer. As he grew most likely the trailer became more and more cramped until his first owner decided to sell the big boy. That's when Charlie's angel came along and purchased him. Charlie's life took a turn for the better. He became a much loved pet of an owner who understands the commitment that comes with owning such a large dog.

Charlie is an English Mastiff. The ancient breed was developed to guard English royalty. It is said a mastiff sat on each side of the monarch's throne whenever court was held. Charlie still lives up to his heritage. If a stranger knocks on his family's door, he assumes a position blocking entry until he's assured it's safe.

While Charlie waited his turn to see the veterinarian, a volunteer staff person found a tape measure and discovered every part of Charlie was, indeed, over sized. His feet measured four inches by five inches. He stood 32 inches at the shoulders, and was 48 inches from the top of his head to the beginning of his tail. His massive legs were 18 inches long.

After his examination, Charlie plodded out of the exam room. His owner held a list of instructions and a bottle of medicine that would end Charlie's toe woes. After his bill was paid, Charlie politely--but resolutely--led the way to the door.    

Second Chance

Second Chance

One Monday afternoon, a man carried his pit bull, Chance, through the door of the Community Veterinary Center. The big dog's legs were a tangle as they flopped against his owner's chest. His tail hung like an attached piece of flotsam. The dog's head dangled, swinging and bouncing against the man's arm. The dog's dark eyes were wide, desperate and terrified.

The man and his precious load were ushered into the exam room. Dr. Conklin asked the owner to set the dog on the floor so she could see if he could stand. But as soon as his owner let go, Chance crumpled to the floor.

Dr. Conklin began her examination with questions.

"Can he stand at all?"

"No."

"Is he eating?"

"I have to feed him."

The owner said that a few days ago, Chance had suddenly collapsed and 24 hours later he was paralyzed. The only parts of his body he could still move were his tail and his jaws.

Chasing raccoons was one of Chance's great pleasures, and his owner was convinced that Chance had a rare condition called Coonhound Syndrome.

Dr. Conklin had never seen a case of Coonhound Syndrome and she wasn't exactly sure what to do for the dog. She dispensed pain medication and the man carried Chance back to his car.

Despite its name, Coonhound Syndrome can attack any breed of dog. It was first recognized in coonhounds and believed to be caused by raccoon saliva. New research on the syndrome has led scientists to believe an autoimmune condition triggers the reaction. The nerves are affected and can cause a myriad of symptoms. If breathing difficulties develop, or the dog becomes dehydrated, immediate hospitalization is required. Without complications a dog must simply wait it out, and recovery may be partial or total in 12 to 16 weeks.

This is just one of the many stories of the animal that have walked, or been carried, through the doors of the Community Veterinary Center. Since the first low-cost clinic for low-income pet owners, several cats, dogs and even one rabbit, have received veterinary care that has not been available to them for years. At this time, services are limited to basic care, but with continued contributions from the animal-loving community, CVC plans to open a full-service veterinary clinic offering everything a low-income pet may need to live a long, healthy life.

Chance returned to the clinic several weeks later. The dog didn't have an appointment, he was just there to show off. As the dog romped in the grass, his owner couldn't keep the grin off his face. Chance darted about, still a little unsteady, but he was happy and moving. His owner explained that three weeks after the appointment, Chance had lifted his head for the first time.

Those first days, he said, were hard. "Chance cried 24-hours a day."

But when Chance gained his feet and took his first stiff-legged steps, his overjoyed owner said, "It was like watching my baby learn to walk."

Another Life Saved

Zoey: Ready to Play Again!

“She’s getting worse,” the woman’s voice wavered on the edge of hysteria on that Monday when Kathy, a volunteer, answered the phone at the Community Veterinary Center (CVC). “She’s vomiting and won’t eat.”

A week ago, Zoey, an eight-year-old female boxer had come to the CVC clinic because she was sick. Dr. Conklin, CVC’s veterinarian, had examined the dog and dispensed antibiotics, but she didn’t think they would help much. She knew what Zoey needed was out of reach for her owner as she tried to prepare the woman that her beloved pet was indeed, very sick. “If this is pyometera, and I think it is,” Dr. Conklin drew a breath and steadied her voice. “Zoey will need emergency surgery and we aren’t equipped for surgery yet.”

The woman clutched Zoey’s medication, and tried for a brave face as she and her boxer slowly walked out of the exam room. Every step Zoey took sapped her energy and drained a little more of her spirit. The bill for Zoey totaled $65.00—more than double the money in her owner’s pocket. Kathy took a $20.00 payment and refused to take the woman’s last $10.00."That's okay" she said, "you can make payments."

A week later, while seven inches of heavy, wet snow caused havoc in the city, Zoey was much worse. Emergency surgery was all that could save her now.

Because the story of a little dog named Drea had appeared in the Register Guard, many generous people had sent in donations. From the crisp $250 check, to the worn $20 bill carefully folded in a piece of paper and placed in an envelope, addressed in pencil by an elderly hand—money had come in. But these funds were limited and it was understood that once they were spent, they may never be replaced. Still, the clinic's board decided that Zoey's life had to be saved.

A board member found a veterinarian who would do the surgery for the money on hand. Zoey’s owner rushed her sick dog to the clinic through the thick slush that covered the road. She returned home to wait for news. The news was good. Zoey spent the night after the surgery at the clinic but then she went home where her recovery continued.

“You guys saved Zoey’s life, and mine,” the tearful owner exclaimed a few days later. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”