Isabella (Izzy) is Dominic’s therapy dog. At times, I wonder if she is more a therapy dog for me or Vincent. She has been a wonderful addition however the past nine months have not been easy. It has been quite the adventure.
We received Izzy in December 2016 and we immediately fell in love with her. She quickly minimized Dominic’s night terrors and became a part of the family. The only family member that wasn’t quick to like her was Paris, our 14 year old Yorkie.
When it was Easter time in March 2017, we decided to go visit Ed’s family in New York. Izzy was still young so we decided it would be best for her to go to her trainers in Indiana for a tune up when we went away for the weekend. I really didn’t trust many others with her and I still am over protective of her.
We went to New York and had a great visit. The night before we were suppose to pick her up, we received a call from her trainer that she was hurt and wouldn’t put weight on her back leg. We told them to keep us posted and to call us when they woke up to see if she improved. She didn’t so they took her to the vet in the morning. When they were there, we learned that she had broken her femur and would need surgery.
She had a very fluke accident and her trainers have been wonderful with us. I want to strongly state we do not want any negative feedback on them or what occurred. I grew up in the horse industry and I know animals can get hurt and the trainers would never want anything to happen to the animals. I am telling this story because Izzy is such a huge part of our day to day and many people ask about her and her recovery.
Izzy was scheduled for surgery and they had to put a plate, puddy, and six screws in her leg. She did not return to us until mid July. Being away from her was so painful and we felt the hole in our family. Dominic also started having night terrors again. When we received her back, the happiness cannot even be explained.
We took her to our vet two days after we received her back and he told us her knee was now dislocating and she would need another surgery. I was crushed and began crying in his office like I can’t even explain. I was shocked and not prepared for this. I thought he was going to tell me she was doing amazing and to keep working with her on her physical therapy. He suggested a second opinion of another orthopedic doctor. That doctor informed us that her knee was dislocating and she was rejecting the plate. He also confirmed she would need another surgery.
Izzy is now schedule for her next surgery in September and it breaks our hearts but we need to help her have the most successful and healthy life possible. We are not looking forward to being away from her for weeks at a time, but we know we have to give her everything she needs.
I told Ed one night, “Dominic had two very tough years his first two years of life. She is just like him. She will be a fighter.” I keep reflecting on this and I also say, “I have a special needs son who has a special needs dog.” It just works and it is what God thought we needed. I don’t regret getting Izzy and I know this journey will make us stronger some how even though it seems like such an uphill climb.
We will keep you posted on our Izzy and the adventures she will be taking the next couple months. Please keep her in your prayers and know we will do everything needed to bring her back home to her boy.
