An Angel Fund Featured Collie

Update 7/22/07

The generosity of our donors has allowed NCR to not only pay Butterscotch's veterinary bills, including the cost of a custom brace for her right front leg (see brace), but now, we are going to be able to try a brand-new less invasive surgical procedure to actually correct her left front leg! If it works as well as we hope, we will do the right leg a few months later.  Orthopets has generously reduced the price of their brace for us and Dr. Gary Brown, a renown board certified Orthopedic Vet is offering Butterscotch a special deal for the surgical procedure (It is enormously generous, believe us!) for her palmar carpal breakdown, so that she no longer has to walk on her "wrists.”  Right now, her front paws almost look like a long, flat human foot.

Butterscotch's new adopters will be assuming her follow up care, which is a lot to ask, but they fell head over heels in love with her and would do anything to help. They are able to afford to give Butterscotch a permanent, loving home because of YOU.  Butterscotch’s surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, July 31^st. We will continue to post updates as the process evolves.

Update 08/06/07

Butterscotch's surgery has been delayed. After they gave her the necessary drugs, they shaved her leg to prep for the surgery and found acute dermatitis. The vet explained that if he cut into that leg, it would become infected. He prescribed her antibiotics and a special shampoo. The surgery will be rescheduled soon and we will let you know the new date.

Update 08/25/07

After a number of delays, Butterscotch had her surgery on Wednesday afternoon (August 22).  She stayed at Dr. Brown's until Friday afternoon (yesterday) and everyone there thought that was a good idea. Between Thursday and Friday she progressed really well.  After we brought her home late yesterday afternoon she was quite agitated and her temperature began to rise so Chuck drove back to Fremont at 9 pm to get a light sedative and another antibiotic for her. The sedative did the trick -- we only had to give her one dosage and she's been calm ever since. Her temperature dropped once her stress level dropped, so we never had to give her the second antibiotic. She's doing much better today. She's able to walk outside to pee and had her first real meal. She looks awful with her side shaven (there are some shave burns that I'm treating), but she is more alert and aware today. All-in-all, she's doing very well.

Chuck is taking her back to Dr. Brown's twice next week for a check and bandage change. He is taking off work Monday and Tuesday (and working at home on Wednesday) to be here with her and of course, we'll both be here with her over the Labor Day holiday.

Update 09/12/07

Butterscotch is doing very well and has been putting weight on the leg since just a few days after her surgery. As a result of the surgery, she has a rod with pins on the outside of her leg so she needs to be confined while her leg heals (something she is not thrilled about, but, then, who would be?) We take her out to lay on our front lawn daily to give her a change of scenery so she doesn't go stir-crazy in the house and she just loves watching everyone's comings and goings.

Dr. Brown is very pleased with how well her leg is healing and her pain has diminished significantly in the last several days. In the photo where she is standing, you can clearly see the improvement in her stance on the left side. She did develop a pressure sore after the surgery but that, too, is healing nicely with daily bandage changes and vigilant monitoring.

Unfortunately, she can't wear the leg brace on her right leg while she has the rod/pins on her left leg because the two devices keep hitting each other & she ends up tripping. The brace will be most useful after the rods/pins come off towards the end of October. It will then allow her to walk normally by lifting her right side up to match her newly-fixed left side until her second surgery, which will take place about 2 months later.

Please relay our gratitude to all those who donated money for Butterscotch. This incredibly sweet dog has never lost her kind and gentle demeanor throughout, and she just can't get enough hugs, kisses and belly rubs from us! We are so lucky to have her and we're grateful to all those who made this procedure possible.

FYI -- Dr. Brown and his staff have been absolute gems! You're very lucky to have him as part of your collie rescue team. He continues to be incredibly generous with his treatment of Butterscotch.

	Update 10/15/07 Here is the most recent photo of Butterscotch. The external fixator, rods and pins were removed last week because the pins were becoming slightly loose. Dr. Brown put her in a brace until she's completely healed -- probably until the week of 10/22. (The brace is wrapped in the photo, so it looks more like a cast.) She's doing well, is much more alert, and seems anxious to be able to go outside and play again soon!  The pressure sore is completely healed and is no longer a concern. Unfortunately, we still can't use the brace on her right leg because there are little hinges that "catch" on the wrapping of her left leg and trip her up. Once the brace and wrapping are removed, we'll use the brace on her right leg until her second surgery. She'll surely need it -- there is quite a difference between her height on each side and the brace will give her a normal gait until the surgery. Again, we can't thank NorCal Collie Rescue, Dr. Brown, his wonderful staff, or the donors to the "Butterscotch Fund" enough for all you've done to give this beautiful collie a better life!
	Update 11/18/07 Unfortunately, the bone in her foot did not fuse completely and after a few days of normal pressure on it, the fusion was reversed altogether. She has a splint on her leg so she's able to walk.  Dr. Brown will be putting a plate in her foot on Tuesday; she'll be home on Wednesday.  The recovery should be much easier and we're hoping it will be quicker since some of the "work" from the first surgery is still in place so there isn't that much for him to do. We feel terrible putting her through this again but since she didn't have any adverse reaction the first time we're expecting all to go smoothly again. As usual, Dr. Brown and his team have been unbelievable -- so compassionate, loving and generous!  We're starting to feel like we're one of the "family," which is so nice considering the circumstances.
	Update 11/24/07 Butterscotch is doing beautifully! Dr. Brown feels that the plate insertion will solve the problem with her left foot forever. She came through the surgery very well -- better than the first time -- and is bright-eyed and alert. Chuck took her in yesterday for a splint change and it's healing fine. So far (cross your fingers), all is well!
	Update 12/30/07 Butterscotch's leg is healing exceptionally well according to Dr. Brown. He took the hard cast off last week so she just has a heavy bandage on it now. It still isn't completely healed, but she's making very good progress. Either next week or the week of New Years she will have new x-rays taken and, depending on the results, the bandages may come off completely!  We will be celebrating that day, to be sure. She looks the same right now; I'll send you updated photos once the bandages come off.

Update 03/04/08 Finally!  Butterscotch is doing just great. She's visibly perkier, happier, and more curious about her surroundings. I've attached some updated photos of her, including a close-up of her front paws where you can clearly see her fixed left paw and how far "down" she is walking on her right one (which is next for surgery -- probably in early April).  Until then, the brace is a big help, as you can see. Once her second foot is done, we'll start looking for a companion for her -- another older dog, though this time perhaps a collie who doesn't have the health problems we've encountered with Butterscotch. Although Dr. Brown has been terrific in absorbing costs, we're emotionally drained at this point.  Love her to death, though. She is absolutely the sweetest thing and we don't have a single regret about adopting her!

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Donate to the Angel Fund to help more collies like Butterscotchutterscotch!

For a special price of $80 (includes shipping/sales tax), you may purchase a limited edition print of one of Rick Aeschliman's paintings.  The image size is 10”x14”.  Proceeds from the sale of these prints will be donated to help collies, including the Angel Fund.  To find out more about the Angel Fund, click here.

To purchase one of these limited edition prints, sent a check or money order to:

Rick Aeschliman, Fine Art Studio, 10971 Monte Vista Court, Nevada City, CA 95959

Write the name of the print you are ordering and indicate "Angel Fund" in the memo field of your check.

The collies thank you!!