A few weeks ago we were asked to help with a dog named Elliot. Elliot was purchased out of Missouri to be a stud for a breeder here in the southern part of Maine. Elliot is 11 months old and is a Bernese Mountain Dog.
Elliot was having issues with with one of his back legs so the owners took him to the vet. He had x rays and it was clear what the problem was. Eliot has hip dysplasia. Elliot clearly couldn’t be used for breeding so the family decided to surrender him as he no longer fit into their breeding program.
A local lady heard about Elliot’s dilemma and asked if we would be willing to help. Elliot’s x rays were sent to our vet to see what could be done to help him. The decision was made that Elliot needed surgery, the sooner the better. We were given a cost on the surgery and we were able to raise enough money to cover it.
On Feb. 6, Elliot will undergo surgery for his hip as well as be neutered. He will be on crate rest for 2 weeks and then rehab for a few weeks. Elliot will remain in foster care for all of this and then eventually go up for adoption. Elliot is a gentle giant and deserves nothing but the best from here on out.
If you take nothing else away from this story, animals are a lifetime commitment and sometimes things don’t always work out the way you plan. In this case Elliot is getting the help that he needs, but when you purchase a dog it would be in your best interest to ask medical questions about the mom and dad. Ask for a health guarantee. Don’t just purchase a dog thinking life is going to be great because there are a lot of people out there over breeding and inbreeding just to make a buck.
Elliot is a large breed dog and we are going to be very selective on where he goes. It will have to be a family that can afford to take care of him and give him the love and support he deserves. We will not be taking pre-adopts on Elliot until he is healed, but we felt it important to get his story out there.
Our bake sales are back in swing and even though the weather is not co-operating we will be back on our regular schedule of every other Saturday. The next one will be Saturday, Feb. 16, outside The Hollywood Pet Salon on Main Street.
Thank you for your continued support and as always thank you for reading our column.
The Ark Animal Sanctuary is located on 101 Old Woodstock Road. To contact Lorraine Monfils call 532-7387 or check out their Facebook page.
