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Raffle to Help "Cotton" the Eskie- April 2000

6 great prizes are being raffled off to help Cotton out! See the front raffle page for details on the prizes!

Cotton's story:

Hi, my name is Cotton. I'm a handsome happy rescue dog. My life has not always been fun. In January 99 when I was only 6 or 7 weeks old, a man stomped me. I was rescued from this man but I will never forget the pain. I had suffered a broken ankle and broken leg. A vet put a pin in my leg that ran the entire length of the leg.

Because of my injury, my leg did not grow right and is shorter than the other hind leg and my foot is malformed from lack of use. It just dangled. Also, because of the existing condition of my leg, my bone is more brittle and more susceptible to injury. I didn't think anyone would want me for their own.

In June of '99 when I was about 8 months old, a lady was interested in me. And I was adopted by Louise Snead and finally I had a REAL forever home. About 2-3 weeks later, I went into the bathroom where Mom had just taken a shower, and I slipped. Mom didn't think I did any serious damage, but I stopped using the bad leg. She waited a couple of days to see if I would start to use it again, but I didn't. I was crying out in pain every time I got up or sat down. Mom took me to the vet and they took x-rays that showed a broken femur. They also asked for my previous chart from Montana so they could determine whether this was new or pre-existing.

The fracture was new and the Dr. told us there was not a lot he could do for my leg because it was already malformed, twisted and shorter than the other. Removing the head of the femur (not the femur itself) where the broken bones rubbed together would alleviate my pain. They thought that perhaps once the pain was gone, I would start to use my leg again. Mom didn't hesitate to have the surgery because I cried EVERY time I got up or lay down.

The surgery was done, all $1,300 worth. I was so pitiful. I didn't know how or where to lie down. Sometimes, I would just stand and tremble, and my Mommy would cry.

Anyway, after about three weeks, the pain seemed to go away. Mom posted to the Eskie list about how proud she was of me. I started using that leg again! Guess I kinda look funny, cuz when I use it, it gives me a pronounced limp (because of the uneveness of the length), but Mom is hoping I will get better and better. I may not sit correctly because of my leg and hip but I CAN out run most dogs at the park where Mom takes me!

Mom wants me to get educated. Imagine that?? One trainer didn't
want me! IMAGINE THAT EVEN MORE?? Mom says it's time to get another trainer!

Do you want to know how Mom found me? She saw me listed on the AE board, a Dedman Foundation email saying "Please help this Eskie, he's been here a long time." Initially, my Mom didn't want me, not because of my injuries, but because just 1 month earlier, she had lost her 10 year old Eskie, Sir Rascal, to cancer after a long and expensive fight. She wasn't emotionally ready, but she showed my email pic to her 10 year old son. He said, "Let's get him. He needs a forever home." Now here is one SMART kid!! Mom told the foundation, if they couldn't find anyone else for him, she would take me. A dog with illness didn't frighten her--- though losing one did! She thought I deserved a chance to run outside, to be spoiled rotten, to be loved. I'd only known short-term relationships that ended up with me being back in a kennel with no one. Comparatively speaking, a dog's life is so short, we should make it as happy as possible. Mom didn't like the idea of me being 'kennelized' the rest of this life or being put to sleep after such a horrible beginning; it seemed too unjust and cruel. I like Mom's way of thinking!!!

My Mom does not want the complete $1,300, but considering all she has done and is still doing, with my trainer and all, we think that $650 should bring us to a reasonable goal.

I am smart, spoiled, very sweet, love to be cuddled and I have so much courage. It doesn't take me long to weave my way into your heart. But like every rescue, I DO come with baggage.

With time and my personal trainer, things will work out. And about my bad leg...I have a heart so big that you won't even see that leg!

Eskie Hugs and Kisses, Love and Licks,
Cotton, The Eskie HUNK (Ain't I handsome? And oh so modest!)

Cotton(on the left) and his eskie friend, Ripper Jones .

6 great prizes are being raffled off to help Cotton out! See the front raffle page for details on the prizes! The raffle is open through Saturday April 22nd, 2000. Drawing will be on Sunday April 23rd, 2000!