Louis Leaps Clumsily but Successfully Into a New Life

Picasso Veterinary Fund in Action! (January 2009)

In a previous life, Louis might have been a cat, because he appears to have nine lives — a couple of which he's already used up in this lifetime.

The three-year-old brindle Staffordshire Terrier arrived as a stray at the Manhattan Animal Care & Control (AC&C) shelter, where he immediately won over the entire shelter staff because of his loving disposition. Despite he endearing nature and strong appeal, however, no adopter or rescue group was able to take him, and time was running out for this remarkable dog. Then, at the eleventh hour, thanks to the heroic efforts of an AC&C volunteer who had been diligently seeking a foster home for Louis since his arrival at the shelter, a temporary home was found. It looked as though Louis had beaten the odds, and his future appeared bright as Louis walked out of the shelter with Adrian and Marie, his new foster family.

But then a freak accident threatened to end Louis's good fortune. As Louis and his foster parents started out on a routine walk, Louis darted out the apartment door and bounded up the stairs. Someone had mistakenly left the door open to the roof, and Louis leaped out onto the roof. Full of exuberance, he began jumping from roof to roof…to no roof! He fell 50 feet, sustaining critical injuries that threatened to end his life.

Adrian ran downstairs and scooped Louis up into his arms and rushed him to Elmhurst Animal Emergency Hospital. That night, Louis flat-lined twice, and the veterinarians told Adrian and Marie that he had only a 15 percent chance of survival: his hips and wrist were broken, and his lungs had ruptured. The veterinary staff worked throughout the night to save Louis, but by 7:00 a.m. the next morning, having done all they could, they arranged for him to be moved by Ambuvet to Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, where for the next 24 hours Louis's life hung in the balance.

Meanwhile, the injured dog's medical bills were mounting. Adrian and Marie already had paid a great deal for his treatment thus far, but with the additional medical treatment Louis would require, other sources of financial help were needed. The Mayor's Alliance agreed to help through its Picasso Veterinary Fund, which pays for life-saving medical treatment for dogs and cats from AC&C who require it before being placed into permanent homes. And Adrian and Marie set about to raise additional funds for Louis's care from family and friends. A local restaurant owner agreed to help by offering to donate food and wine for a fundraising evening for Louis at the restaurant. Clearly, this special dog was having an impact on a community!

Louis spent his second night in the hospital on a ventilator, but by the next morning, he began breathing on his own. While he remained in critical condition, his doctors determined that he had sustained no neurological trauma, and would be able to undergo orthopedic surgery for his broken hips and wrist.

While Louis's recovery will be lengthy, two things now are certain: He has a permanent home with Adrian and Marie, and his survival is the result of an extraordinary collaborative effort, shared by caring AC&C staff and volunteers; extraordinary foster parents; talented medical specialists at Elmhurst Emergency Hospital and Animal Medical Center; a supportive community, and the Picasso Veterinary Fund.

That Louis survived his ordeal is a miracle, but miracles are what the Picasso Veterinary Fund is all about. Since 2003, the fund has helped give second chances to hundreds of dogs and cats who, like Louis, needed some extra help to land on their feet in a permanent loving home.

You can help keep those miracles coming by donating to the Picasso Veterinary Fund. Just think of Louis and the courageous battle he fought to stay alive. Think of his caretakers and the extraordinary efforts they made to help him survive. Now think about how important your gift can be to an animal in need. Please make a convenient online donation.