Help for Vinny

On Monday, July 31st, our life changed in a blink of an eye, a tragic freak accident happened to our little 3 month old Boston Terrier, Vinny. One moment all was well, we were enjoying life with our new little furry baby that we brought home on June 24th, and the next minute we were having to choose between putting him down, amputation, or signing him away to the animal hospital. Today started off great, my three older kids were gone, and it was going to be a quiet fun day with just my youngest and Vinny. I let Jake (6) have a quick playdate. Normally I don't let the neighbor boys come into play, our six year old goes out to play with the boys around our yard, but it was so hot, I suggested they have a playdate in the house instead to play video games. Now, I wish I had just never answered the door when the boy knocked, maybe it would have changed things, maybe not. Vinny loves everyone and all the kids especially, he was so excited, chasing them around the house and trying to play fetch, which he had just learned to do two days ago. Vinny was trying to eat the video cords so our son put him on the couch to distract him. Vinny loves to sleep on the couch and jump off when he wants to, but if he wants down, he'll jump off faster then you can blink. Vinny was getting annoyed that he couldn't get his toy and he was making that Boston crazy growl, where he's really being a bluffer, but he wants us to know he-means -business -because- he's -the -boss. I'm kicking myself now for not turning around, but never would I think something like this could happen to fast. I'm still not exactly sure how it happened, all I know is that he either jumped off the couch and landed wrong or our son was trying to help him because he was going down wrong and he slipped out of his arms. Or the boy might have picked him up and he jumped or accidentally dropeped him. At first I might have jumped to conclusions in panic and thought the neighbor had accidentally dropped or let him jump down because I think I shouted, "What did you do, I think you broke his arm!?" I told them they had to leave right immediately, I had to take him to the vet, and they just were so confused, we were all confused, the one little boy's brother said, "My brother didn't mean to hurt his arm." He had been playing video games and didn't even see what happened either. I thought if the boy was holding him, there's a very good chance Vinny tried to jump (which he's done with me even) and the boy wasn't used to that and couldn't hold him, but that's not what happened according to my son, he thought he was coming off the couch. I'm just not sure yet. I know they say freak accidents happen, but boy do they ever. I just wish I hadn't sat down at the email. I had literally just sat down to check my email and make a call, I was in the same room and they were behind me, it happened so fast, I still don't know exactly how it happened and that's the part I hate. I just know it was a terrible accident, the boys were not being careless, and Vinny LOVES to jump. He jumped off the bed and couch all the time, I think this time he just landed wrong when trying to leap out. He'll also scratch you as he wiggles if he wants to jump which is why I don't let kids pick him up. Vinny was screaming in pain, the boys were so shocked and confused, I had three little boys all around the same age, with eyes so full of fear. I hope I didn't scare those little boys, but I couldn't help being a little panicked. I ended up paying almost $300 to be told that the break is so bad, they couldn't do anything; he'd need a specialist and it would be at least $1500. I took Vinny home, with his leg wrapped in the green bandage. They said they gave him a shot for pain, but he seemed to be absolutely miserable still. Richard had just gotten home, and we all just broke down. Thank God our oldest son is at camp and our two daughters were at friend's houses. Jake went right upstairs to his room, I think he was sad and felt guilty, that maybe it was his fault because he put him on the couch. Richard cried, I cried, and if you had asked us a month ago if we would have been so overwelmed over a dog, I would have said no way. We've waited a long time to get another dog. We did research on the right dog for us, we were so lucky to have great friends that breed Bostons, and we waited a year for a spring litter, to get just the right Boston for us at the right time. We were all prepared for him before he came home, everyone has been so gentle and careful. He's as spoiled as can be. Then barely a month later, we are faced with losing him. We just did what we had to and in desparate hope it wasn't as bad as we thought we took him to get him looked at at the animal hospital Our own vet said it would be $60 to put him down, which none of us could bare to do anyways over a leg, (we weren't sure if it was bad enough for that) $1200 to amputate, which we don't have sitting around, and I'd hate to see that happen. Our only other option was to sign him over, they'd fix his leg, and adopt him out to someone that would pay for the care. They couldn't assure me though that he WOULD be adopted. We'd still have to pay the money it would have taken to put him down, to help out with the cost. It seemed so cruel. Either way, we'd have to give him up. It only got worse though. The animal hospital said it would be $2900 to $3200 just to fix his leg, and since the fracture is on a growth plate, his leg might not ever grow properly, and of course there would be follow up care. We just found out we our getting a mortage to become first time owners. Both of us are proud people, but I think we're going to need help with Vinny. He's brought immense joy to our lives; to our children's lives, I don't want him to part with him. The vet wouldn't take arrangements, Richard said we'd sign him away. We came so close that the paperwork was drawn up. In one last ditch effort to keep our Vinny the Pooh Bear, Richard called his brother. Thankfully he got through, and his angel of a brother said he'd help. As a gify he and his fiance were going to send our family on a vacation of our choice. We asked if we could trade the vacation in, in order to fix Vinny and give him a chance to stay in our family. So that's how he's getting the surgery paid for. What a relief. I can't tell you the relief and sadness both that we felt at the same time. Will he be the same? Will he make it through the surgery? We have to try for him though. As we said good-night to Vinny, Jake finally broke down. Breaks my heart to watch my son cry like that in front of people. As we left he was inconsolable and he cried like that for an hour. I'm not sure if it just hit him, or if he was confused and thought we were leaving him forever. We assured him, we'd come back for him and that doggie doctors would do their best to help his leg. It's not over yet though, as I write this, he's still in the animal hospital, waiting for the surgeon to come in. As of now, they do believe they can save his leg, we're praying the bone won't be broken worse during surgery, we do know he'll have pins or screws and he'd get arthritis sooner then normal. There could be problems with the growth of the leg, but we'd rather have a handicapped Vinny then no Vinny. They said he's so young, that he should be OK and have an active life. He made it through the night, he's on a morphine drip now and they hydrated him. Vinny's a sweet, hearty little Boston, like most dog owners, we just think he's the best. When he was a day old he was mauled by an older playful puppy, who probably thought she was just trying to play with the new babies and bring them to their mama. He was given stitches and he was fine. He's already a trooper. We can just hope and pray he'll be fine again. I just worry about future care. It's a hard thing to ask for help. My brother in law has been an angel for us, but there's still money owed in the future for follow up care for getting pins out and new pins in. I'm not even sure what it will be. I will be looking for a job now of course as I was planning on anyways, we're going to be putting stuff up for online auctions, but we're asking Boston Terrier lovers, dog lovers and ALL animal lovers for help if at all possible. For those that want to help Vinny we'll be setting up a paypal account for his medical costs, and we will show all documentation for proof. This is not a scam. We're honest people, right now, we're desparately in love with this furry baby, so much so, that we're reaching out online to all animal lovers asking for help. It's not easy to do, but he's worth it. I realize that to some it may sound silly. We might be criticized. I'm sure some of you will think there's better places to donate your charity money. And that may be true. But if you love animals and have ever had to lose one, you know what we're feeling. We just want him to be able to stay with us. He's a great dog. He's incredibly spoiled, we'd do anything to help him. I can't describe the pain we felt yesterday as our lives changed so fast, it may sound melodramatic, but one moment we are just taking it day by day like everyone else, glad to be healthy, blessed to have a great family, and joyful to have our new puppy with us. The next moment he's about to be taken from us. To us, it's not silly. To us, he's apart of our family and we are scared to lose him. Vinny is at the Animal Emergency Center of Glendale, Wisconsin. He's under the care of Dr. Stacie Lipinski. His surgeon, as of current time will be Dr. Dana King. His case number is 86676, for those that want check validity before making a donation. And please don't feel pressured to donate. Positive thoughts and advice are just as welcome. I also don't want my friends feeling like they have to either. I myself have donated to the Save Wampi fund when the cats leg was badly damaged. I love animals myself and I too want to make sure that my money is truly going to help an animal. I will keep everyone updated regularly with this blog and I can assure you that every cent will go to pay for Vinny's vet bills for follow up care. We also want to set up a fund someday when he's back on his feet, to help other families whose pets can be saved, but they do not have the money. If we can help even one family avoid our nightmare of an emotional roller coaster yesterday, I will feel that it is worth it and honors the generosity of everyone that helps Vinny. We will appreciate even the smallest donation, everyone will be added to Vinny's blogroll. If you have pets and pictures of them, please send them, we want to acknowledge each furry friend that helps Vinny. We will be adding your names to his cast as well. If you're the praying kind, please send some prayers for Vinny, he goes into surgery today as of the last time we spoke with AEC. We will update as soon as possible. The paypal account is helpsavevinny@gmail.com If you do not have paypal, but would like to donate, let me know. Here's a picture of my youngest on the day we picked Vinny up. I have tons more pictures to upload and I will share those with all of you. Vinny loves the car and so far he's already been to Michigan and Kentucky and many rest stops in between, we had joked we should get a blog up called the Adventures of Vinny the Pooh with all his traveling pictures. I hope he'll again be able to join us on road trips as healthy as ever. Our family thanks you.