Leia, A Precious Treasure
As with any precious treasure, there is a storied past that lies behind it. In December 2021, eight-year-old Leia was picked up on several occasions by animal control officers in Florida. Miss Leia, despite her beautiful personality, was having a rough life and had the physical ailments to show for it. With her past being such an unknown, our good partners in Florida provided the necessary medical requirements needed and sent her to Baypath to give her the best possible chance for a fresh start. A fundraiser was established by the non-profit DOGS ON THE MOVE by Pawsitive 4 LIFE, Inc. in Florida to raise $440 to cover the cost of her boarding in Florida and her transport to MA.
Upon arrival at Baypath we noticed a significant limp in her right front leg and stiffness in her both of her back legs causing an unusual gait. Our veterinarian examined her and requested x-rays to diagnose what was causing her limp and abnormal gait. Leia was sent to an orthopedic specialist, and they found a pin in her right leg and made the decision to remove it. They also noted that her hind legs had several chronic old cruciate tears in both knees and decided not to repair because it would cause further harm. Other medical attention she required included: a desperately needed a dental, medical care for an aural hematoma (infection of the external ear canal) and removal of a mass that was found on her neck.
We are very thankful to our wonderful fosters who offered to care for her while she healed. Every person that has had the good fortune to meet Leia have all said what a sweet and gentle soul she is. Despite her medical woes and the unknown level of constant pain she is in, she always greets you with a smile and her signature butt wiggle. Due to donations made to the Lily & Orchard Extraordinary Fund we were able to care for Leia’s myriad health concerns and put her on the path to healing.
Leia made such an impression on her foster mom that she has decided to adopt Leia in July 2022.
Now in an adoring home of her own, Leia’s adopter calls her “a gift,” sharing: “She comes daily with me to help an 80-year-old who is fighting cancer. He wasn’t sure how she would work out, but she won him over quickly. He owns a concrete company and likes to take rides to look at equipment, and she is right there looking out the window to see what we are looking at. We call her the ‘clerk of the works!”
This successful outcome was made possible by a powerful team of caring individuals along with lifesaving donations made to the Lilly & Orchid Extraordinary Medical Fund.
Leia’s future will be of pain management through acupuncture, pain medicine and physical therapy….and lots of TLC! Just goes to show that you can rise from any situation and still come out on top…. or at least land on a comfy couch!
