Friday, May 22, 1998

On Friday, May 22, 1998, just before the Memorial Day weekend was to begin, Cassidy was tossed out of a car on Highway 24 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. We do not know who did this terrible thing, but we are all shocked, horrified and extremely angry that a human being could do such a thing to such an innocent puppy. Cassidy was found just minutes later by a mother and her son who were driving down the same road and the son saw Cassidy screaming in pain. He shouted to his mother "Mommy, PUPPY!" They scooped Cassidy up and took her immediately to the closest veterinary hospital where the doctors determined that she had a severely fractured leg....compound fracture of the femor. The wonderful doctors placed a cast on her leg until she could have surgery to fix the leg.

Just hours later, the Greater Charlotte Shetland Sheepdog Rescue received a call asking if we could take this puppy into our care and have surgery performed on her leg. With no hesitation, we accepted Cassidy. She was picked up at the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital the next morning by one of the Rescue volunteers.

Saturday, May 23, 1998

She came to us in a little red cast which she dragged around all weekend without a single complaint. She went on walks on the beach...mostly being carried by her foster mom...and some hopping along because of her persistence to wiggle free and run. We made sure her cast was always protected from the sand and water. Then on Sunday we travelled back to Raleigh to her new home. She road very good for a little one...played a little but slept most of the three hours. On Monday, we met up with another rescue person and she took Cassidy to our vet for surgery which was performed by Dr. Corry in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Tuesday, May 26, 1998 - Surgery Day

Cassidy's surgery went well. Dr. Corry felt that because she was so young and the fracture was so severe that she would do better with a pin in her leg rather than a cast because of growth platelettes. So for that reason, a pin was inserted. If you look closely you will be able to see the pin sticking out her hip. In 2 weeks (approx. 6/9/98) she will get her stitches out and in 6 weeks (approx. 7/7/98) she will have the pin removed.

Wednesday, May 27, 1998 - Up and Around Already!

On Wednesday, Cassidy began hopping around very cautiously. She was so excited to be home and around familiar faces again. Very happy to eat and drink and to play like a puppy is supposed to play. She is doing wonderfully.

Thursday, May 28, 1998 - Can't Catch Her!

Well, this little girl is unbelieveable. She is full of energy and wants to run a marathon. It's incredible how quickly she is recovering. She feels much better and is enjoying having the roam of the house. She has a long ways to go...but she's progressing splendidly!

Monday, June 1, 1998 - Not A Good Day!
Unfortunately, Monday was not a good day for Cassidy. Cassidy fell and hurt her leg. We went to the doctor on Tuesday to let him check it out. He seemed to think it would be ok and that she had tramatized the injury. He thought that a couple of days of keeping her inactive would help her. This has put her progress back a bit, but she will probably be ok in a couple of days. We'll keep you updated.

Thursday, June 4, 1998 - Rough Week But Getting Better

Cassidy and her foster mom have had a very busy week. First Cassidy hurt her leg, then on Tuesday we went to the doctor and things looked ok. Then on Wednesday the pin went under the skin and the area surrounding appeared swollen and possibly infected and she was running a low grade fever. So it was back to the doctor again on Thursday. The doctor said that the swollen area was a callous that was forming...which is normal. The area was in the beginning stages of an infection and he gave us medicine to make it better. She's feeling great now and starting to put more weight on her leg.

Cassidy playing "Dress Up" in Kirby's collar - 13 wks. old

Friday, June 19, 1998 - Concerns of Infection
We became concerned about Cassidy having a possible infection on the hip around the entry area of the pin in her leg. The area was red and swollen. We went to visit the doctor and she was immediately concerned that the rod may be slipping. Her concern was that Cassidy's knee looked as though it was locking up. The doctor x-rayed her leg and the rod had moved a small amount. We decided the best thing would be to remove the pin since the leg had a completely closed heal to the fracture. We still have to be extremely careful with the leg. Any trauma could cause the leg to break again. She is not allowed to run like a wild child like she wants to do.

Tuesday, June 19, 1998 - Good News Again

Cassidy's leg is much much better. The infection appears to be clearing up nicely. She still has one little stitch left where the pin was removed from her leg last week. She also seems to be using it more now that the rod is out. She had her toenails clipped for the first time last night after slicing open her foster mom's leg. That was an experience she didn't really enjoy but with some treats it wasn't too aweful. Now it's time to get those ears under control before they go prick. We wouldn't want that to happen...lol. It's very difficult to get a picture of her these days. About the only way is to hold her and try to get her to hold still.

Cassidy at 16 weeks.

Saturday, June 27, 1998 - Not Goodbye Just See You Later

This is not a kiss goodbye but see you later Foster Mom Carol. Cassidy has to go stay with a new Foster Mom (Shirley) because her step brother Kirby does not like her and things are not getting better. We do not want anything to happen to Cassidy and it's also not fair to Kirby. So to be on the safe side Cassidy is going to stay with Foster Mom Shirley for a couple of weeks. Cassidy will only be a couple of miles away so we will keep you updated on her progress. She's also going to get those ears glued today and a rabies shot. So her day's gonna be full of excitement. Check back again soon. Spay day is coming up in about 2 weeks.

Sunday, July 5, 1998 - Cassidy in Her New Foster Home

I went to visit Cassidy at her new home and she's doing wonderfully there. She loves all the toys and her new playmates. Everyone is getting along great. That's Cassidy and her new buddy Alex on the left.

Cassidy also has two shelties, Card, a blue merle and Hamlet, a tri color, to play with at Foster Mom Shirley's. Oh and we can't forget Thor...a beautiful black kitty who keeps Cassidy in line.

Thursday, July 9, 1998 - Spay Day

Foster Mom Shirley took Cassidy in to be spayed. We are both very anxious but we know the doctor and vet tech's will take good care of Cassidy today. Shirley will pick Cassidy up this afternoon. We will let you know how she is doing very soon.

Friday, July 10, 1998 - A Shocking Surprise
When Shirley picked up Cassidy from the vet for being spayed, the vet told us he could not spay her because she was not old enough. He felt like she was only about 3 1/2 months old....that would mean she was only 7-8 weeks old when she was dumped on the roadside in Jacksonville, North Carolina. So the Rescue has decided to go forward with finding Cassidy the appropriate home and require a spay contract be signed.

Tuesday, July 28, 1998 - A Happy Ending!

Today is the day we at GCSSC Sheltie Rescue have been waiting for....Cassidy went to her new home today. Her new mom, Dianne, was so happy she was approved. Cassidy will have all Dianne's attention as she is the only dog of the house...Cassidy loves that. We will all miss our little Cassidy but at least she is close by and her new mom says we can see her whenever we like. We love you Cassidy. You will forever be in our hearts...you are truly special...xoxoxo

Our Rescue is funded entirely by donations, fundraisers, and adoption fees. If you would like to make a donation to the Rescue to help with the Cassidy's medical bills, please send a check made out to: Greater Charlotte Shetland Sheepdog Club Be sure to memo the check for "Rescue" or the "Joy Fund" and mail to: Yvonne Leonard-Reen GCSSR, Coordinator 10730 Shady Bark Court Charlotte, NC 28227

Thank you for visiting Cassidy's page!

Last Revised: July 29, 1998