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When a dog comes to
AZGRC, we never know what is behind the next door; often times
we don’t know what kind of life they may have led before finding
us or what will happen next. Lucy
was rescued from the Douglas shelter and a family in Flagstaff
was going to adopt her. When Lucy got to Phoenix and she had
her first examination, the Veterinarian found that Lucy's heart
was enlarged and beating very fast. There was no way Lucy could
be adopted by an active young family in Flagstaff, so AZGRC
volunteers found a wonderful new foster for Lucy. A wonderful
lady who was looking for a companion to share her home and
life.
But
Lucy's journey was just beginning. After lots of tests, the
Vets told AZGRC that Lucy not only had an enlarged heart, she
also had a hole in her young heart. The doctors only gave Lucy
a few months to live unless surgery was performed to close up
the hole, and that the surgery would have to be performed in
Texas. Lucy was on several
medications and her heart beat twice as fast as it was supposed
to. She winded very easily, but her spirit never faltered. Her
eyes spoke volumes, saying she wanted to live. So, AZGRC
made the decision to give Lucy a second chance at life.
The AZGRC volunteers
loaded a scared and nervous Lucy into a minivan one hot August
morning, taking her from the foster family she had just begun to
know. The group began a 3-day trip across the Southwest – a trip
that included many restroom breaks as a result of Lucy’s
medicine. Upon arriving in Texas, Lucy was given a full
examination by the dedicated veterinary staff at Texas A&M
University Research Center. The next day she underwent heart
surgery. The doctors placed a catheter through Lucy’s groin,
leading to her heart. This device then closed the hole in Lucy’s
heart. Surgery was a success. Lucy’s travel companions report
she was a trooper during her long, sometimes intimidating,
journey and has since become a symbol of the miracles made
possible by the AZGRC.
Lucy is an
extraordinary dog – and certainly not one who was expected to
live past puppy hood. Today Lucy is doing extremely well and is
happy to report she now has a spring in her step and a grateful
look in her eyes. She is the faithful companion of her adopted
Mom and spends her days chasing balls (her favorite pastime)
taking long walks, and snuggling with her toys. She truly is
“giving back”each time she is able to climb the stairs to the
second floor or sprint through the park chasing a ball. |
