Work In Progress

Pardon our mess. We're still working to get this site up to date. We have a lot to share about Cleveland's progress, and are excited to let everyone know how well she's doing. More journal entries from Cleveland will be added in the next few weeks. Pictures will also be posted soon on the Flickr site (link is on the right side of this page), so please check back often for updates.

The most current information about Cleveland can be found on our website at www.hopeamc.com.

Thanks for stopping by!
-HOPE Animal Medical Center

Surgery Day

I woke up early this morning when people came in to check on me. I guess they all work here. The tech gave me some more pain medication. She said she was sorry that she couldn't give me any food, because I'd have to wait until after surgery to eat. I slept for most of the morning and into the afternoon. Then two of the techs got me out of my cage and put me on a blanket on the table. They told me they were going to give me an injection that would make me very sleepy, and that when I woke up, my legs would be fixed.

5 hours later...

I woke up to three faces staring at me and telling me everything was ok. I don't quite feel ok, but I guess I'll take their word for it. Dr. Gustafson put a pin and a plate with screws in my left leg and four pins and a wire in my right leg. They said my pelvis should heal on its own. I have these huge pink and purple bandages on my legs. The doctor and techs stayed with me until I was ok to be by myself. They tucked me in and told me they'd see me tomorrow morning.

A Rough Beginning

Today I almost lost all faith in humans when I was hit by a car. As I lay crumpled in the middle of the street, a small crowd of people just watched me – no one even tried to help as I drug my broken body off the road. As the cars went around me and the people walked off, I noticed that one car was stopping – this would be the help I needed! As the lady approached me, even though my pain was unbearable, I managed to wag my tail. I didn’t make a sound as she picked me up and rushed me to a place like I had never imagined. There were actually people at this place waiting to help me! (I now know that this place is Hope Animal Medical Center and the nice lady who picked me up works as a technician here). After my x-rays, Dr. Gustafson was able to determine the extent of my injuries. She said that both of my back legs were broken and my pelvis was broken in three places. My new friend started crying and I licked away her tears as she and Dr. Gustafson discussed “humane euthanasia.” I turned and licked Dr. Gustafson, too. I must have really touched their hearts, because the next thing I knew I was getting pain medication and was being put in a cage with lots of blankets. They told me I had a tough road ahead, but they would help me along the way.