Slipped Disk Doesn't Take Denali Out of the Running…for a New Home

Picasso Veterinary Fund in Action! (June 2009)

Denali was a rambunctious dog, even at five years — so rambunctious, in fact, that he ruptured a disk while playing. Facing the prospect of paying for an expensive surgery and follow-up physical therapy, Denali's guardian was at her wit's end. Her father had recently died and, though she loved her Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, she was not prepared to take on the expense of an operation. And, because they lived in a fifth-floor walkup apartment, it would be impossible for her to carry her buddy up and down the stairs for his outdoor breaks and physical therapy appointments.

So she made the tough decision to give up Denali, and he was destined for the city shelter. But the Mayor's Alliance was asked to intervene at the eleventh hour, and agreed to take him into its Picasso Veterinary Fund program, which helps pay for necessary medical care for sick and injured cats and dogs from the city shelters.

It turned out that Denali didn't require spine surgery, but could be healed through physical therapy, including canine water therapy provided by The Wagging Tail, a Mayor's Alliance boarding partner in Tribeca. The Picasso Veterinary Fund paid for Denali's stay at the facility and his water therapy.

Now Denali is back on his feet and ready for a new home that doesn't require him to take stairs. He loves people, and is quickly learning basic commands. Although he'll never be as rambunctious as he once was, Denali is playful and friendly. Aside from the probability of a little arthritis as he ages, no future medical issues related to the disk are anticipated. Denali has been neutered, is up-to-date on all his shots, and is microchipped.

Are you the special someone Denali is looking for to take him home? If you are, please contact us at Picasso@AnimalAllianceNYC.org, or check out Denali's profile on Petfinder.

If you're not looking to adopt right now, perhaps you'll consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Picasso Veterinary Fund. Your donation will help provide a second chance to another dog or cat like Denali — one whose bright future depends on getting the medical care he or she needs to get back into the race. You can make a convenient online donation, learn more about the Picasso Veterinary Fund, and meet some of the wonderful animals the fund has helped on the Picasso Veterinary Fund website.

Rest assured that your generosity is appreciated, both by the animals you help and the people who ensure they get the medical treatment they need.