Christy's Story

We recently got a pug in that is an extreme special needs pug that will require a lot of attention. Christy is about 9 years old although our vet can't believe it because overall, her health is amazing and she doesn't look her age at all. She also has a zestful pug curiosity.What is wrong with Christy you ask? She has absolutely no ability to stand on her hind legs. Her only way of getting around right now is by dragging her back legs. Our vet, Dr. Daniels, said Christy has a calcified fused vertebra and her patella is severely damaged. Her only chance for a full function is surgery. We found a great orthopedic surgeon that will do the surgery but it will be quite expensive as you can imagine. We are going to start teaching her to use a wheelchair cart for her back legs so that she can get around a little better. This was just donated to us by someone and it couldn't have been donated at a better time. On top of her spinal injury, she came to us with a UTI infection, an ear infection, a lump on her chest and a bad knee. In the mean time, we are going to get some raffles together to help raise money for Christy's surgery. We also will accept any and all donations via check or paypal to help in Christy's recovery. You can become Christy's Pug Angel by clicking the Pug Angel Icon right below her pictures. If you can help in Christy's surgery in any way, PROoF would GREATLY appreciate it. Christy is very vital and alive! She is healthy overall and this surgery would help make her years of life more enjoyable and painless. Thank you in advance for your help!!!

UPDATE 1/25/07: PROoF is very happy to announce that Christy's biopsy came back negative. She does NOT have cancer. Everyone is so, so thankful. We can now move forward with her treatment. We are also happy to report that the donations are coming in. We are getting there. Thanks to everyone of you for all of your support to Christy's fund. If you have donated, your name will appear in our "Past Donors" page. We are still asking folks to please continue to support her cause. Even though we have received people donating, we still have a ways to go and the longer she goes without the surgery, the percentages of her chance of walking again continue to decline. The Vet has been working on getting us the best doctor for the best price. We are going to see about scheduling her first surgery as soon as possible. We are to understand that she will need at least two surgerys.

UPDATE 2/5/07: Christy is doing very well. Her stitches were removed and she has fully recovered from her surgery of her lump being removed. She is still scooting around and moves those little legs like crazy, wanting to stand up. She has really captured lots of hearts around the clinic. Our vet has an appointment with the surgeon this Friday. He will examine Christy and look at her x-rays. Then he can give us a prognosis and the options for therapy. Now that Christy has had her stitches removed and has recovered fully from her surgery of her lump, we hope to have her first surgery for her spine scheduled when our vet sees the surgeon on Friday. Please keep Christy in your thoughts and prayers. Although we have received a lot of donations, we still are asking for anyone that can donate, to please do so. We thank everyone that has donated so far and appreciate everyones support!!

UPDATE 2/12/07: Our vet, Dr. Daniels, took Christy to the surgeon on Friday. The surgeon was very nice and very informative. He spent an hour going over the options and risks in her case. We learned that unfortunately, her problem is not your typical disc problem with a quick surgery and 85% recovery rate so there are a few different options we need to consider. The surgeon is also consulting with a neurologist about the different options we have. The good news is Christy will not need knee surgery. We thought she would need it but we found out her knee is just laxity because her muscle tone and reflexes are absent in the knee area. So, we now believe she will only need 1 surgery. We are waiting to hear back from the neurologist and the surgeon on our options. Once we do, we will be able to schdule a surgery date. We are hoping to know the date of the surgery this week. Thank you again for everyone's support. Your thoughts and prayers are working and we ask that you continue to keep Christy in your thoughts and prayers for a healthy and full recovery. Please check back for more updates. And we also ask that you continue to send your donations in. We are doing great and have recieved such a wonderful response from all of you! We truly appreciate it and thank you dearly from the bottom of our hearts!!

UPDATE 2/23/07: Well, Christy had her surgery today. She is doing well and resting. It could take up to 6 weeks before we will know if she will walk again. She went potty on her own which is good news. Now all we can do is pray and keep our fingers crossed that she will walk again! Thank you to everyone who donated towards the surgery for Christy! If it weren't for our generous donors who helped, we don't know what we would do. We will keep you posted on Christy. In the mean time, please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers and pray for her to walk again. Thank you again to each and every one of you!!

UPDATE 3/8//07: PROoF would like to send a big thank you to everyone involved in helping in the surgery for Christy! Because of everyone's outpouring of generosity, both of Christy's surgeries have been covered by all of the donations that came in just for her. Everyone far and wide came together for Christy, we even had a donation from the Bahamas! We also extend our big thanks to Murdock's & Freida's Boutique for hosting Yappy Hour!

UPDATE 7/19/07: Christy had to have another surgery. She is recovering and doing well. We wanted to share the latest pictures of Christy. Her foster mom gives her physical therapy everyday by helping her swim in the pool to keep strength in her front legs. PROoF purchased a K9 Cart for her which was fitted just for her. Once she gets strengh back in her front legs, she will start learning how to use the Cart. Christy is so full of spirit and is enjoying life so much. She has the typical Pug personality. She is such a sweet heart!

UPDATE10/15/07:

CHRISTIE IS REMEMBERED -

In retrospect, Jeff and I were truly blessed when Pug Rescue gave us the opportunity to care for Christie. It was a humbling experience. Christie was so fragile, yet exhibited such strength in her will to live. She NEVER felt sorry for herself, NEVER appeared frustrated or depressed in her lack of mobility, NEVER gave indications of discomfort, even after her major surgeries, daily exercises and muscle stimulations, NEVER showed a disinterest in our many "conversations"- tilting her head from side to side-her ears up and tail wagging and finally, NEVER displayed anger ( except when our Pugs wandered to close to her at dinnertime ). We can all learn a vital lesson from her courage and selflessness. Christie passed away quietly in her sleep knowing she was loved by every life she touched. She is now beyond the Rainbow Bridge- walking and running as all Pugs should. She will be forever missed.

From Top: Christy, Martha, and Lucy