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When Jackson ended up in the caring hands of
AZGRC, he was a 1-year-old who knew nothing of romps in the
grass, or long walks, or ball chasing, or any of the other
carefree, good times of a typical puppyhood. All he knew was
pain, a pain so intense it made him cry. To go to the bathroom,
he leaned against a fence to brace himself as he tried to lift
his leg. Sometimes he couldn’t get up and would relieve himself
lying down. Jackson had severe hip dysplasia, a crippling
condition. Unfortunately, the only option his owners could
afford was amputation. They knew he was suffering and deserved
better, so they did the right thing and surrendered him to AZGRC.
Jackson would get that puppyhood after all.
Jackson’s journey with AZGRC began with
three months in a foster home, where he learned there was more
to life than searing pain. Love and pain-relieving medication
revived his spirit. His inner puppy began shining through.
Still, surgery was inevitable to replace his left hip. As often
happens with rescued dogs, just the right people came to AZGRC
in search of a special-needs dog. Mark and Abby had been through
a lot themselves, having lost their Lab to sudden illness and
being in the final weeks with their elderly Golden. They needed
Jackson, and Jackson needed them.
Although the left hip’s condition was even
worse than expected, the operation by Dr. David L. Bone was
successful. Most importantly, handsome Jackson
was off to a fresh start. Mark and Abby put Jackson’s crate in
their bedroom after the surgery so they could be near him. Such
tender care, along with Jackson’s young age, have aided his
recovery. In fact, Jackson deemed himself recovered a month
after surgery, but Mark and Abby have been careful to make him
slow down. “He’s very playful,” Mark says. “He has about 20 toys
in the house, but he doesn’t tear them up. He leaves the
squeakers intact. He’s also practicing with the ball.”
The Golden who used to have to brace himself
against a fence now happily bolts around the dog park with the
pack. Another of Jackson’s hot spots is the Starbucks patio.
“Every single person stops to pet him and tell him what a
beautiful dog he is,” Mark says proudly.
May Jackson enjoy a lifelong puppyhood.
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