Lennon, the Dog with 2 Torn ACLs

For the past 2 years, our 5 year old "pup," Lennon, has been limping around and having a generally tough time doing the things she likes to do (Yep, she.). The stairs have become a no-go zone, because she tries to gallop up the stairs and usually tumbles back down when her hind legs give out. Walks around the neighborhood are a no, because they put her out of commission for the rest of the day. We took her to the vet 2 years ago, and we were told she had a sprained muscle, "Give it some time to heal. Limit her activity." Now, if you've ever had a cattle dog before, limiting their activity is nearly impossible. Squirrel. Bird. Wind. Mailman. Car. Tree. Fork. Dog on TV. Cell phone. Everything causes this dog to tense up and run toward whatever object made the barely audible noise. There is no "rest" with her.

When she had her yearly dog exam in 2008, they said she probably partially tore her ACL, because her limping hadn't gotten any better after we let her rest for a few months. The doctor said "No activity. Just bathroom, eat, lay, sleep." That didn't work either. A few months later, he told us to try a medicine for pain and swelling, although I honestly thought that was the worst thing to give her. Give a dog who doesn't ever rest or take it easy a pill that will make her forget that she has an injury, so she can then return to normal jumping, pouncing, and tearing through the house. The pill is great for pain and made her return to her normal peppy self, but at the same time, now she thinks she can do all of these high-stress things on her back legs. Now in the middle of play, she falls down. She tries to run upstairs by jumping over the gate and and falls down. She tries to run after a bird on her very short walk to the mailbox and falls down. Poor pup :(.

This week, we took Lennon to a Vet Surgeon to see what it would cost to fix her leg, which we were then told it is actually both of her ACLs that are torn. So 2 legs, 2 surgeries, $7-8,000. WHAT?! Yea. That's right. You read it. I am all for fixing my pup, but $8,000?? Let me just pull that outta my pocket for ya. And the annoying part was that the Vet didn't give us any other options than the most expensive, PATENTED surgery out there. I have done my research; I know that there are 4-5 different surgeries, but this guy is a "It's this or nothing," type guy. Not cool.

Yesterday we took Lennon to another Vet Surgeon who gave us 2 more options, one of which was more reasonable for the average person. He's going to email us a more descriptive quote, so here's to hoping *crosses fingers*. We want to help our pup. Our crazy, wild, frustratingly hyper pup. She may eat my Domino's pizzas, Halloween candy, hairbrushes, Christmas cookies, Birkenstock sandals, nice couch blanket, all of my bedspreads, pillows, bottle of TUMS, acrylic paint, etc., but I love her and don't want to see her in pain.