Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

Permanent Foster May 2010

This is the story of Duke — our somewhat bionic dog.

Duke (#1979) was relinquished to Golden Bond in December of 2009 by a couple of young ladies who picked him up for free from a lady at a supermarket in Southern Oregon. Once they got him home and looked past the cute little 6 month old puppy with half his front leg gone, they realized that they couldn’t keep him. They contacted Golden Bond Rescue.

Duke’s right front leg had begun to form but then stopped about a couple inches below the elbow. When he arrived in Portland he was seen by a surgeon to see if the leg should be removed. [Many three legged dogs can do quite well.] According to the surgeon, if there is a partial limb the dog thinks the limb is whole and will attempt to use it. Unfortunately for Duke, it was also discovered that he only had one structurally sound leg and that was his other front. The knees of both back legs had not formed correctly so they kept popping in and out of the joint; this could be visually seen, for the knees stuck out in funny angles. Sadly, these deformed joints were causing Duke to be constantly in pain. It was determined that surgery was not a good option at this point. Duke became a permanent foster since we knew his life expectancy would be shorter than normal and his medical bills extensive.

Duke was started on physical therapy at Back on Track with Dr. Bianca Shaw. The therapy was discovered to be too difficult for him and it was discontinued. It was at this time that he received his prosthetic front leg.

Beginning in May of 2010, Duke was taken to Paws Aquatic twice a week and started working with Diane Kunkle, a licensed therapist in water therapy. At the end of October 2010, he started receiving acupuncture treatments from Debra Mulrooney, another Golden Bond volunteer whose field is alternative medicine. Results were noted after just four treatments; Dr. Shaw noticed that Duke was easier to adjust as his muscles were not as tight. Debra with Paws Aquatic also saw improved stamina when he swam. Diane Kunkle commented, “Duke has totally amazed all of us by building enough muscle mass to where he is doing really well. He has continued to improve and now that he is full grown and his growth plates have closed, we won't be battling his constantly changing condition due to his bones and joints growing. He is only going to continue to get stronger so hopefully he will be able to overcome his deformities for years to come.” Duke will be two years old in June 2011.

He will forever need extra care and is on pain and joint medication to keep him as comfortable as possible. He was featured in an Oregonian article with Paws Aquatic and was the June 2011 Golden Bond Calendar dog.

We could all learn from his wonderful disposition and attitude. Duke has the most delightful “show teeth curled lip smile” that no one can resist. It is amazing to watch him play with his two Golden sisters and is so tolerant of the two other older dogs that also live with him.

With the help of the above people and those who generously donate for his care, we hope to continue this path of treatment and give Duke the best life he can have.

January 2012 update from his foster mom.

Duke is doing well and even managed to win a spot on Paws Aquatic car door magnet - what a star.

I still take him swimming twice a week and every other week to acupuncture. He just finished training for his Canine Good Citizen but hasn't taken the test yet. One of his hardest things to pass in training was not greeting everyone and the other dogs. He is so social he doesn't want to just sit beside me and wait for me to say it's ok.

For a little guy (now 57 pounds) whose life expectancy was only a little over a year he is doing really well at 2 1/2 now. He is constantly playing with his two Golden sisters but leaves the 13 and 17 year old dogs pretty much alone.

He has an attitude that matches his age some times. His favorite way of showing anyone that he is mad at them is to turn his head away and totally ignore them even if they try to make up. He got upset with Debra at one of his acupuncture sessions because she had to cut it short so first he gave the evil eye and then he would have nothing to do with her until we came in for our next session.

He’s such a joy – as are the others – but his happiness and lovey side are just too much.