ROCKY HAS AN INFECTION 3 JANUARY 2011
Debbie writes: Thank you so much for all of the notes of encouragement for Rocky. It wasn't until late yesterday afternoon that I heard from Rocky's family regarding this situation. As always, there is good news and bad news. We are going to begin another long period (about a week) of waiting. Rocky was sedated yesterday for some additional x-rays and the infected area was cultured and sent to the lab for testing. The good news is that in the radiographs, everything appeared exactly the same as the last time they took his pictures on the day he had his fixators removed. The bad news is that there was bacteria found. That bacteria will be cultured; when the results come back, the vets will make a final determination. I was able to speak with the surgeon yesterday morning, who indicated that if the x-rays showed it was just a small pin that was infected, they would be able to go in and remove that one pin. Since that isn't the case, my understanding was that there was a greater chance that Rocky would need to have all of the hardware in his leg removed. It is my belief that this is the way they are leaning today, but I won't know that or be able to share it with anyone until next week. Dr. Hoch assured me that Rocky's leg was in excellent shape. The fusion of those bones was complete and that he didn't NEED to keep the hardware inside. If they remove the plates & pins, Rocky will be fine. Rocky's new mom & dad are 100% committed to his care & treatment plan. They have continued to drive him an hour & a half from their home to allow him the opportunity to continue working with his physical therapist in Winston-Salem. He hasn't been able to get into the pool for therapy since his infection, but they are hoping that this is resolved quickly so that he will be able to get back to work. He looks wonderful. He has put on about ten much-needed pounds, his coat looks fabulous and he is still the happy, comical boy that he always was. It warms my heart each time I see him. I was able to get one photo yesterday of him with one of his favorite docs and his new mom and dad. Isn't he stunning? Please never forget where Rocky started. It's because of the generosity of so many people that he survived. I would be remiss in thanking people, though, if I didn't thank Ed & Ann. These two are truly the Aireangels who are committed to seeing that Rocky has what he needs for the rest of his life. It takes a village, doesn't it? ELLANA LIVERMORE: Our Rugby had this happen to him after ACL repair. They went in and took out the pins and he was fine. They pumped him full of antibiotics before & after. He had healed, so there was no need to keep the hardware in his body. I realize that Rocky's situation is more complex, but this is a bit of good news. Did they use titanium? Keeping Rocky & his family in our thoughts. BOB ANDERSON: That ROCKY! Always a fighter - never a quitter . . . Much Zen & powerful thoughts!
WE HELPED GIVE ROCKY A FIGHTING CHANCE! DEBBIE BUTLER & HER VERY GENEROUS HUSBAND, LEE SALLY SCHNELLMANN AIREPUPPY ROCKY You go girl; this AireBoy is lucky now that he has found you! We send our love to this beautiful boy, and to you for being there for him! MARLENE SOLOMON SIDNEY & STANLEY want ROCKY to get well soon! DIANE GLEASMAN ROCKY: sending you love from Illinois 'dales, WILBUR & ZANIE BARBARA DURANCE AIREDALES PEPPER ROSE (@RB), who can be seen HERE, SPICE, who can be seen HERE, HERE and HERE & GRIFF, whose rescue story can be read HERE From 3 ADT Aireangels in Canada. We hope all goes well and he is soon in his forever home! AIRECANADA SIDNEY HARDIE In honor of Deb Butler, North Carolina Airedale Rescue, and her efforts on behalf of ROCKY. SWAT (SOUTHWEST AIREDALE RESCUE) MAUREEN & JIM SCOTT AIREDALES MS PIX, who can be seen HERE, COURTENAY, who can be seen HERE & MURPHEEE, who can be seen HERE This is for ROCKY with our best wishes from Canada. ATRA (AIREDALE TERRIER RESCUE AND ADOPTION) JACQUIE HODGE For ROCKY from RUBY in England, whose paws are crossed for a good recovery and a forever home. BOB & FIONA SIMCOCK AIRECOUSINS MEG & RUFUS in England, who can also be seen HERE MICHELLE MUELLER AIREBOY TANNER We're hoping this little bit of money will help Rocky on his way to a much better, healthy & active life! ROBYN KNOX To help with ROCKY's journey to a forever home, from DUNCAN in Canada. LANA McINNESS in Canada BOBBI PROCYK AIREDALE ANNIE BELLE ANNIE BELLE & I are wishing the best for ROCKY! CATHY BIERSACK ATRVA (AIREDALE TERRIER RESCUE OF VIRGINIA DELIA HARDIE JACKIE & TOM McGUINNESS AIREDALES MR MAC & MAHRI, WELSH ELLIE in England, who can all be seen HERE GAIL BOAT- WRIGHT AIREDALES RUSTY, SASSY & TETLEY PAM VANDERGRIFT AIREDALE BETTY Best of luck, ROCKY . . . can't wait to see you cleaned up. BARB OIMAS PAMELA JONES THOMAS PRESTON ELIZABETH BERRY DIANE WILSON KATHERINE APPLETON KIRK NIMS & MIKE BILLION In Memory of AIREDALES SIR MILES & ANDY lV In Memory of AIREDALE FOZZIE BEAR LYNN O'SHAUGHNESSY SOAR (STARTING OVER AIREDALE RESCUE) CAROL FISHER ANGEL & AMBER CATHERINE BIERSACK WOJO & HARRY PAM & DAVID McKUSICK In Honor of Debbie & Lee Butler for Rescuing ROCKY ATCMW (AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, DC) BOB ANDERSON BEVERLY LANGLEY JODI BRITTAIN LORI TAYLOR PATTI & GREG WEBSTER In Memory of AIREDALES BISCUIT & TUCKER DOROTHY & WILL DUFF AIREDALES CESAR, ROCKET, SHEEBA & SENIOR COUCH POTATO SUNNY SUSAN FOX In honor of all the worthy volunteers & rescuers of our beloved breed. WILLIAM & DEBBIE CARRIER SADIE, HALLIE & KATIE CINDY NOLAN PENNY & ODIE BARBARA CURTISS NEAR (NEW ENGLAND AIREDALE RESCUE) SUE FORRESTER & BILL MOLYNEUX AIREDALES AEREM, CHESTER [HURTT], EMMA & CHILLI, who can all be seen @ Wombat Bend, Australia HERE In Memory of AIREDALE ASCHA AIRENET AUSTRALIA LIZZIE HURTT AIREDALE CHESTER, who can be seen @ Wombat Bend, Australia HERE JANICE TUCKER SARA LYMAN whose own experience with leg surgery can be seen HERE; the end result can be seen HERE Hang in there, big fella! It will all be worthwhile. ROBYN KNOX LYDIA ROSS Hey Rocky! Get better quick - it's squirrel season and you look like a great hunter! Your pals out West, DAVE & ALICE (who are crated while workers are here - we feel your crate pain!) SALLY SCHNELLMANN Hey Rocky, this is ROCKY Airedale of Colorado. I heard you are doing great and healing up just like a strong Airedale would do. Keep up the good work and you'll be running ahead of the pack in no time! NOLAN & CINDY BERNER PENNY & ODIE Continued luv, Zen & prayer from the Berners Stay safe, brave boy. Heal up so you can go to your forever home soon. Our luvin' prayers are with you 24/7. With love & gentle hugs CANDY KRAMLICH ATCMNY AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB OF METROPOLITAN NEW YORK MARLENE SOLOMON In Honor of My Daughter, HEIDI SOLOMON, for Mother's Day LISA BOPP With love & best wishes for a Speedy Recovery from Ohio 'dales OLIVER & WILLOW MARYELLEN ESTES In Memory of My AIREDALE, INDY JEANNE PLAUTH AIREDALE DUNCAN ANDREA DENNINGER & NEAL SKRENES THE SKRENNINGER SIX-PACK l to r: LUUCEEE YOU GOT SOME 'SPLAININ' TO DO CRUSA FOSTER JANA (green coat), RICOBADBOY (red collar), CHRISSI1EYE, ROSIEVI THE SHY DAISY2LEGS & CARI (purple collar) [LUUCEEE's story can be read HERE; JANA's story can be read HERE; RICO's story can be read HERE CHRISSI's story can be read HERE; ROSIE's story can be read HERE DAISY's story can be read HERE; CARI's story can be read HERE]
In Memory of MISHA AIREDALE RESCUE CRUSA (CAIRN RESCUE USA) ONE STARFISH REHOMING CONNECTIONS Click on MISHA's picture to go to her IN MEMORIAM pages.
RUTH ELLEN HILL BARBARA MORRISON Keep fighting on! Debbie, you are an AireAngel! BEVERLY HOTALING LIZ VILLANTI DANIELLE SMITH DANIEL & REGAN WESTRA TWO AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS pulling for you Airedales! In gratitude for Debbie's critical care for our friend, Rudy. Continued recuperation & spunk, Rocky! AMOUNT DONATED AS OF 23 SEPTEMBER: 2,810 USD = 2,813 CAD = 1,744 GBP If you have donated to ROCKY'S FIGHTING CHANCE and are not listed, or would like your dog(s)' names and/or pictures added, PLEASE contact me HERE

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*NO* TOASTER! TO A WEDDING HERE

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The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then whip the other dog.
-- Teddy Roosevelt

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INTRODUCING MISHA (@RB) & APRIL (@RB)
CARI, RICO, ROSIEVI, DAISY2LEGS & LUUCEEE

Remember to bring along your virtual pooper-scooper!