Just one week ago, a dog had been struck by a car on busy St. Louis Highway 55. Good Samaritans saw the accident, stopped on the side of the road and jumped out to help. The young pup was in so much pain, rescuers had a difficult time just getting the dog into their car, but these heroes had no intention of giving up.
It had been through social media and help from Pet Rescue Network, where rescuers were able to raise funds in order to get the dog into an emergency clinic for the weekend. The dog was named Prairie, and it had not been one nor two, but three broken legs Prairie had suffered. In addition, the accident resulted in pulmonary contusions (fluid around her lungs). The clinic was able to stabilize Prairie’s condition and temporarily splinted her legs, but due to her extensive injuries, the clinic had recommended humane euthanasia.
The rescuers reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis for help. Of course, the answer was yes, and it wasn’t long before Prairie arrived.
This puppy so wanted to live, and one week ago, Prairie arrived:
She just arrived and is now safe with us. She is bright-eyed, even wagged her tail, but painful of course. Our veterinarian looked over her injuries, and although it’s very early, she is optimistic at this point that she may be able to keep all of her legs. Once she begins healing, that might change of course, but for now we remain hopeful.
There have been an amazing number of people who have stepped forward to help, and her journey to recovery is expected to be a long one. No one, however has given up.
Prairie arrived with three broken legs; one was an open fracture, another leg was shattered and the other was fractured. She had a pneumothorax which was caused by bruising in her chest. She was placed on oxygen therapy and strong pain medication; her legs were splinted, and she would have as much of the air surrounding her chest cavity removed.
On the organization’s Facebook page, Prairie’s update and photos stole hearts:
She loves all of us, but she has really taken to Stephanie. All she wants are belly rubs. She didn’t want to eat, so we went and got her some chicken. She wants us to hand-feed her, and we happily obliged. Anything for this little baby. We’d lasso the moon if she asked us to.
On Friday, Prairie underwent surgery. She had two massive leg surgeries on both front legs where plates and screws were placed, and she headed back to heal with her favorite nurse, Stephanie. Prairie also has a broken rear leg, but that one is an open fracture and her worst break of the three. Thankfully that is a rear leg, so that leg may have to be amputated, but first – she needs three good, working legs!
There were so many scenarios in which she would not have had a positive outcome or ever be able to walk again, however the prognosis is looking better and hopefully promises a wonderful quality of life for Prairie in the future. What an exciting thought that one day soon, Prairie will be able to run!
Check out her video (and check out that wagging tail)
https://www.facebook.com/StrayRescue/videos/1579054006286002
To help: https://strayrescue.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/32945
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