Percy – Short for Perseverance

Percy came into the Lowcountry Lab Rescue as an 8 week old Yellow Lab suffering from Swimmers Syndrome. At 8 weeks he had never walked, his legs went out to the side and his rib cage was flat. He moved like a seal. The vet told us (I am a single Mom and have an incredible animal loving 8 year old son) our first job was to get him off his ribs and laying on his side and to begin moving his muscles so they would begin to fall in the correct direction.

We began with lots of physical therapy – all day long. Nick and I would take turns massaging him and exercising his legs and muscles. Percy quickly became the love of the neighborhood and we began creating things that would keep him on his side when he slept. Within the first 4 weeks of having him he was sleeping on his side, his rib cage was rounding out and his front legs were in front of him and he was pushing up! I began to carry him in sling around my neck so that his legs were hanging down as many hours in a day as possible. We taped his legs in the correct position so his muscles could get used to their new but correct position.

Again neighbors stepped up and began devising away to get him even more off his chest. This was most important because if we could not get his ribs to round out it would not allow for his lungs and heart to grow properly. Every few weeks as we went back to the vet they were encouraged but cautious. I began to take him everywhere I went so that I could massage his legs, keep him on his side and get him use to the “walking” motion. People everywhere fell in love with him. He has the sweetest disposition and a heart of gold!

Eventually a “wheelchair” was build for him by Josh Jones and this made a huge difference. He was able to be up and his legs falling straight down so that he could get used to the walking motion and that feeling on his paws. This began was a turning point and from this and his non-stop perseverance he began pushing up and walking. It was awkward and his legs were out farther than dogs legs should be but he was moving in the right direction.

The last key to his beginning of independence and walking full time was Josh Boyd who built him an 8 foot long and 12 inch wide walk way so that his legs were forced to stay closer. We practiced non-stop. My 8 year old son was incredible in the care he gave Percy and in his determination and encouragement of him. They are quite the pair!

Finally at 17 weeks Percy was not only walking he began climbing stairs! At 24 weeks he could climb the stairs and go down them.

Today at 9 months Percy is doing great. He has issues and struggles with his bones and joints and winter was hard on him. He has a wonderful Chiropractor that donates her services to help him and we are working on some other therapies and hoping for a doggie day care to donate time for him on the days I have to work. He has a hard time when he has to stay in his cage for the day. He has now been camping and hiking in the mountains and loves it! Nothing stops him and if it is hard he finds away around it.

Percy has such a loving spirit and I am hoping as he gets older he can become a Therapy Dog so that he can share all of this wonderful love that he has! Anyone who would like to donate to his care and large vet bills can donate to Lowcountry Lab Rescue. Without them he would have been put down yet because of them, wonderful neighbors and an 8 year old boy who loves his dog, Percy is thriving!

submitted by MaryChris Delcioppo

Want to give your foster pup exposure for adoption? Send us up to 3 photos, and a short {500 words or less} write up about your adoptable foster dog OR fill out the Foster Fridays Questionnaire posted on the website. Email the info to gillian@lowcountrydog.com using the subject line: Foster Fridays.