You know how when you’re a little puppy the world is such a great and loving place – full of furry littermates, a wonderful mom and all the unconditional love you could ever want?  Ah, if only life could have stayed like that a little longer.  My name is Mel and I’m only nine months old.  I’ve really grown up a lot in the past month and learned so much about life.  It can be a dangerous and painful world for a little fellow.

 

My family purchased me with their income tax refund (although there wasn’t enough money left over for me to get some of the basic necessities like shots and neutering). One day I got loose and ran in front of something big and fast called a “car”.  When it hit me, my pelvis was badly broken.  I was rushed to the hospital where my family told the doctor they weren’t going to be able to afford my treatment. The children began crying, so the adults decided to go home and think about their options over the weekend.  In the meantime, the vet staff did their best to make me comfortable.  I knew something was terribly wrong.  I was in such pain and I could barely move.  I tried not to worry because I had always been a very good boy.   I was sure my family would be back for me.

 

I stayed at the hospital all weekend and waited.  It seemed like years.  In the meantime, someone contacted Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies who were standing by in case my family didn’t come for me.  Well, that’s what happened.  They decided it would be best to surrender me to GRRR.  At first I was very sad and I really missed the children, but I’ve come to realize it was actually a blessing in disguise.  My care was going to cost thousands of dollars that they couldn’t afford.

 

It was only a matter of hours before Pete and Nancy Lynch (who specialize in long distance rescues) came for me.  Have you met them?  They are such wonderful, kind and caring people.  I knew as soon as I saw them that things were going to be okay.  Off we went to Dr. Carpenter’s office for x-rays.  Everyone there fell in love with me!  I don’t know what it is about me, but I think it’s great that people take to me the way they do.  I was loved on and cared for and treated like a celebrity.  My mind was a little fuzzy from all the pain, but I’ll never forget Pete, Nancy and Dr. Carpenter and how kind they were to me that day.  I was soon off to see Dr. Wheeler, one of the best orthopedic surgeons around.  He said that without surgery to stabilize my pelvis, I could end up being crippled for the rest of my life.

 

I was in surgery over two hours while Dr. Wheeler put two plates in my pelvis. I stayed at the hospital for about a week.  Then I was off to Roxanne Shelton’s home where I am staying during my recovery.  She is the nicest, most dedicated foster in the world!  She is truly an angel.

 

Here's what Roxanne says about me: “One Friday afternoon, Bill Urbanowski brings me this light golden beauty.  Mel had a cone, shaved hip and butt and staples in a half circle covering his hip incision.  To walk, he needed a strap under his belly to assist in easing weight on his hip and wide enough portholes to accommodate the crashing of the plastic cone as we tried to weave our way through the house and outdoors.  Mel had to be confined in a very small space most of the time.  We’d go outside at least five times a day, then come back in for time together where he would play with his softie toys.  Best of all, I would hold one end of his nylon bone and he would hold eye contact (all this through the plastic cone) and vigorously chew away.  Those necessary cones, which keep the dogs from chewing on surgical sites, also prevent the independence of holding toys in their mouths and grabbing one from the floor.

 

What a boy!  Now, two weeks post-op he’s curious, playful, loves to be outside and look around for all the wonders he's missed.  Just watching him do things other dogs do, seeing him in a situation of more freedom (with more to come), being able to see those beautiful dark eyes tease and express is quite a joy.  Watching Mel those first two weeks he was here made me appreciate the spirit and resilience of these Goldens.  In addition to the two weeks of surgery and in-patient time, Mel still has six weeks of rehab.  That is a lot of time for a young guy who has other ideas of what he'd like to be doing.  Mel seems to be telling me, ‘I'm tired of being benched, let me back in the game!’  And that's where this loving, tough fellow is headed.”  

 

It's really incredible if you think about it.  None of you even knew me a few weeks ago and now I have all these wonderful new friends.  Here I am with my pelvis on the mend, and instead of being crippled for life, I'll soon be able to run and play and wrestle and fetch.  I've been neutered and now have all of my vaccinations.  The Golden Angel Fund is truly a miracle for Goldens like me.  I wish I could shake paws with each and every one of you.  Just like my mom, GRRR has shown me unconditional love, safety and comfort.  My new motto is, "A setback only paves the way for a comeback."  Thank you so much GRRR for paving the way!  I love all of you!