Guided Hands

I can’t imagine how he felt as he laid in the wreckage of an abandoned building; paralyzed, alone, and scared.

In a rural part of Georgia with very few animal care services in place, Jude was simply lucky that someone spoke on his behalf and saved his life.

Discovered by the Sheriff’s Department, they reached out to animal advocate Crystal Vargas for help. Crystal stepped in and became his voice. She took him into her care and started seeking resources for help, knowing the extent of his injuries would bring unmanageable vet bills. As often as we’ve been told that many hands make light work, Jude’s story surely brought about a multitude of busy, helpful hands.

Guardians of Rescue took Crystal, and Jude, under their wing and initiated a care plan. They raised funds and arranged treatment almost immediately. Jude was first stabilized by a veterinary office called Critter Fixers. He then sought treatment with, affectionately called, Dr. Amy in Barnsville, Georgia. Dr. Amy began acupuncture and Crystal continued to visit often as they both worked through attempts to rehab him into walking again.

During his time of treatment, Guardians of Rescue started working on a rescue or placement option for Jude. Knowing that whatever the outcome of his care was, he would need somewhere to call home.

Guardians of Rescue then contacted Dakota Fultz of Adoption First Animal Rescue in Kentucky and arrangements were made to transport Jude.

He stayed in Kentucky with Dakota until she and I had a conversation one day. She was in the process of moving and initially was just looking for someone to watch Jude until she was settled and he was able to return home. It didn’t take long, though, for us to both discuss the possibility of him simply staying with me. We had experience with paralysis, a great resource of veterinary professionals, and lots of love to give.

Arrangements were made, once again, for transport and Jude was loaded up with the promise that this would be the last time he’d have to move.

With uncertainty in his eyes and hope in his heart, he made the last leg of the trip that started in Georgia and ended with us in Michigan. At the halfway mark, our friend Marisa picked him up and she sent me a photo in her passenger seat. I knew immediately that he was SUPPOSED to be mine.

From the moment that Jude arrived at home, we gave him our very best efforts.

His legs already had pressure sores when he came and throughout the various therapies we put him through, there was absolutely no sign of improvement and the condition of his legs steadily worsened.

At one of Jude’s multiple vet visits, I still remember saying…”Now hear me out for just a second.”

We had a serious conversation about bilateral amputation on his rear legs and what that would entail.

I explained that he was either going to harbor such a horrendous infection from his dead legs, that he would eventually have to be euthanized…at which end I would feel like we hadn’t even tried. Or, we could attempt the surgery, see how he heals…he either thrives and it was a success, or we fail and have to euthanize regardless. In the end, I wanted to know I tried. The risks were assessed and discussed and a date was set. The vet agreed to amputate both of Jude’s back legs.

I kissed his head before I left him with the staff at King Veterinary Clinic. I told him that I loved him and asked him to believe that I really thought this was his best chance at happiness…and he didn’t seem to question me. God blessed the hands of Dr. Eberle and his staff that day as they meticulously removed the dead and dying tissue and bone from the hip joint and a complete amputation of both rear legs was completed.

I’ll never forget when my phone “dinged” with the notification of a message that had arrived, several hours after surgery. It was a video from Dr. Eberle of Jude, walking with complete independence on his front legs, without the added burden of dragging his rear limbs. A lump formed in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I exclaimed out loud, “It worked!”

The next day, Jude ran out of the clinic with staff trying to keep up behind him, with “Chariots of Fire” playing to the beat of his carefree steps. Jude is a miracle in every way. Not only has he managed to become one of the most athletic dogs in the house, he has maintained his fierce friendliness and gusto for all things fun. He LOVES people, and I think if he had the chance to go back and visit everyone who had a hand at saving his life, he’d be more than happy to kiss each and every one of their faces.