Greyhound Rescue & Rehab

dog breeds

Freddy

Follow the story of his heroic fight.

March 8, 2013

"The snow is nice and all,

but can I come in now?"

Hey everybody,

I went to see my new Dr. friend in NY today.

He was AMAZED at how good I healed (of course I healed good. I'm Freddy). He told my secretary Christine (who's now my cook, chauffeur and laundry lady too) that I could have a little more exercise so I got to be off leash in the yard (yes, it is all fenced in). She wouldn't let me play with all my new greyhound friends in the snow (bah humbug) but I had some fun by myself.

I saw a squirrel, tried to catch snowflakes, did some digging in the snow and I was all ready to fly down my runway ramp to do some serious zoomies, but the party pooper (yup, you got it...Christine), wouldn't let me.

Your friend,

Freddy

Freddy & some snowflakes.

March 3, 2013

Freddy & Christine smooch.

I had 2 very busy days of meeting people and riding in cars.

I finally got to Greenwich, CT on Sunday night at 8:30. I was really excited to meet my secretary Christine for the first time. We got introduced and she started crying and hugging me so hard. Women can be so silly. Then she took me home. She has a husband, Chris, and a lot of greyhounds. I met a couple of them at a time (the greyhounds, that is. She only has one husband) until we were all together. It was really fun. Then I found this big bed and Christine & I started to smooch. I miss my friends at OSU but I think I like it here.

Yours tiredly,

Freddy

Weepy time.

March 2, 2013

Freddy & his Superman collar.

OK everybody,

I'm doing it. I'm really leaving.

That's my friend Dr. Pugliese poking at my behind. She's always poking me but I love her. She and Christine both have a big case of the weepies. Silly.

What's all this talk about me being superman?

I'm Freddy!!

Dr. Pugliese poking at Freddy's behind.

March 1, 2013

Nom, nom, nom...

Hi everybody,

I made a new friend today. Her name is Sarah. She came and gave me treats and I snuggled with her cuz guess what? She's going to take me for a ride in her car in the morning. And then I go in another car with Carl & Joyce and then another car with Kris and her mom. I'm going to spend the night with Kris. Then Sunday I ride in her car to meet Peggy and then FINALLY on Sunday night I get to meet my secretary Christine.

I don't know what the heck is wrong with her lately. Every time we talk she's gets weepy.

I'm looking forward to meeting all my new friends. I'm coming with lots of suitcases.

Love,

Freddy

February 26, 2013

Freddy speaking his mind

Hey, It’s me Freddy.

See me in the picture? I’m talkin’ to you.

Well, I’m telling you I don’t know WHAT the heck happened to me today but I definitely feel that something important is MISSING!! They tried to make it better by giving me a cookie. I just ate the head…

I’m not feelin’ too friendly because those Drs pulled a fast one on me and it sure wasn’t getting tutored!

I’ll talk to you tomorrow,

Love,

Freddy

February 20, 2013

Freddy & his e-collar

Hey everybody,

My Dr. friends changed the bandages on my right thigh today. Things are looking really good with that flappy skin but I have some fluid (fluid? They must mean juice) down near my knee. I’m really not supposed to bother with it but I want to, so I wear my neck pillow and my muzzle AND they tried to put on an e-collar too. I took it off. HAHA. But haha on me cuz it got stuck on my muzzle. Oh well.

I’m still getting presents which is very cool. I LUV all the goodies so whoever picks me up from OSU next Saturday March 2 better have a BIG vehicle.

Did ya read that guys? I’m ready to go on a road trip!!! Yay!! I got to go outside today but a road trip will be much more fun. My secretary, Christine (she’s really the President of Greyhound Rescue & Rehab), is getting some chauffeurs together to drive me ALL the way from Ohio to NY.

I want to meet ALL of you someday!!!!!!!!

Happily,

Freddy

February 17, 2013

Freddy's surgery site

Hi everybody,
I haven't written to you in a few days because I've been a little under the weather BUT I'm feeling better now. I had a really big operation on Thursday. It was really something...or so they tell me. I had 4-5 surgeons working on me for like 3 hours or something. I heard my Dr. Pugliese say they had to hand sew me like a quilt but hey, I'm a hound, not some silly piece of cloth.

They took a 3x12" piece of skin from my tummy and twisted it around to be sewn on to my right thigh. They really had to stretch it to make it fit. This picture is me upside down after all the sewing was done. Do you see the leg with the straight line of stitches? Well, that's my left inside thigh that was sewn up last week. Looks pretty good right?

And do you see the round flat piece sewed on my right thigh? Well, that's actually my tummy skin. Phew...that's a whole lot of sewing.

Anyways, I haven't been too hungry the past couple of days but last night I got cheeseburgers that were really good.

They've told me I have to be good and not pick at my bandages and stay quiet. All I've done is stay quiet for a month and I'm getting tired of it. If that tummy skin sticks to my wound. I should be able to leave here soon. I want to go home.

That's all for now.

Love,
Freddy

February 15, 2013

Freddy had some pretty major surgery today.

At 1:30 this afternoon Freddy was just waking up after being in surgery for close to 4 hours. 5 surgeons were working on him. Took a 3x12" piece of skin from his abdomen and flapped it onto the inside of his right thigh all the way down to his knee. The literally hand stitched just like making a quilt. He was awake and not happy. Now it's a waiting game. Pray that new blood supply kicks in and the skin flap adheres to the wound. Freddy has to behave by keeping calm and not picking at his bandages or trying to remove the drain. It will be about 3-5 days before the surgeons know for sure what/how much skin is going to take from the flap. It runs from his groin down. The most critical area is around the knee as the movement and tension could cause some issues.

He's still in isolation and has restricted visitors but when he gets mail, they take some extra time to read to him. He’d like some more get well cards please.

Here's the address:
Ohio State University Veterinary Center
Soft Tissue Surgery Dept.
Attn: Freddy & Dr. Pugliese
601 Vernon Tharp Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210

Keep the good thoughts and prayers heading Freddy's way for the next few days please.

February 9, 2013

Freddy in his condo

Hey everybody,
I had a good night last night after my surgery. I got the wound on my left leg sewed up. I got dinner AND a midnight snack. My Dr friend cooks me hamburger. I even scrunched up my blankies. Know why? Cuz that stupid VAC machine isn't working right so they took it off. YAY!

My hotel room isn't as skinny as it looks in this picture. I have lots of room.

Mr Dr friends tested to see if I still have those nasty bugs and if they're gone I can go for walks outside again. I won't know for a few days.

The news I hear is that my right thigh wound is healing but it’s so big it can’t be sewed up. My Dr friends are coming up with a plan.

I hear it's snowing a lot where some of you live. I want you all to be safe so I can meet you when I come east...where ever east is.

Love,
Freddy

February 6, 2013

Freddy's gift basket

Hello friends,
I thought it would be a good idea to say thank you again for all the wonderful presents, cards, donations and get well wishes everyone has sent me. I even got a gift basket today!! People have sent me blankies and stuffies to cuddle with and treats and all kinds of cool stuff.

I don't remember if I told you that the Drs found some nasty bugs in my wounds so now I have to stay in an area where I'm kinda by myself. Everyone that comes in has to wear funny blue suits and only a few people are allowed to visit with me. But they're really nice to me and my friend Dr. Pugliese sits in my cage with me and reads me cards and letters from people. Someone even sent lots of hugs and kisses and stuff. All of my things are kept in a special area just for me.

I wanted to read some of the cards myself so I opened up my cage today. I tried to go out visiting but they caught me as I peeked out the door. DARN!! It's a good thing I didn't get very far because I have this machine attached to my really sick leg that is helping it heal. I don't like it so I was tugging it along behind me hoping it would come off. It didn't.

I'm not sure but I think I heard the Drs saying I was going to have a big surgery on Thurs. They said something about sewing up part of one hole in my leg. I'm not scared.

They're keeping me a little sleepy.

Good night,
Freddy

Freddy resting with his new friend

February 3, 2013

Freddy in his healing blanket

Hi everybody,
This will probably be my last letter for the weekend. My secretary has some new greyhounds coming to her group so she said she'll be busy.

I'm going really well except for some bugs that won't go away with my medicine but I don't have a fever or anything so I don't care if I have a few bugs. My Dr. Pugliese says I have granulation (does she mean like granulated suger) in my wounds. I know they're putting some special healing honey in there but sugar? I wish I could lick the honey.

REALLY exciting news!!!! I got a present today. It's the most awesomest blanket EVERY. Now you can see me in my Superman suit that I have to wear AND I got warm and snuggly in my new blankie. Rebecca Anderson you're a very special friend. Thank you.

Love,
Freddy

Freddy chowing down.

January 30, 2013

Freddy in the OR

Hi everybody,
It's me Freddy. Wanted to say that I had more surgery yesterday so my friends the Drs here at OSU could keep my wounds bleeding. Why the heck would they want to do that? They say it's to try to get healthy stuff to grow. I had a a little infection in one leg but I'm so strong that I didn't even have a temperature and my blood work didn't show it either. HAHA. Fooled them :-)

I'm still in ICU but if the good stuff will start to grow and I keep eating good I will move to another part of this hotel.

So this picture is of me getting my wounds cleaned out. Sheesh how embarrassing that you have to see me with my legs all spread out that way but Christine said I had to share it with you cause you're my good friends.

Love,
Freddy

Here are some other updates Freddy forgot to mention:

- After surgery yesterday, tissue looked like it was staying healthy during today’s bandage changes.

- Had a bit of infection, but looks like it was contained. Got all the yuck cleaned out.

- He doesn’t like the world to see his legs spread apart but wanted folks to see him in treatment.

- I asked if he could have a steak dinner on my dime. His resident surgeon Dr. Pugliese is going to cook for him.

- Started him on oral meds yesterday but Wed is going to be a BIG day. They’re going to stop his IV Fentanyl. If he doesn’t get upset tummy from the oral meds, he’ll move out of ICU into the soft tissue surgery dept where he’ll have a larger “suite” and a bit more ability to get out and about. Staying in that cage is cramping his style.

- He’s still walking on his own!!!

January 26, 2013

A letter from Freddy

Hi everybody,

Wow I can’t believe I’m getting so much attention and have so many friends who care about me!

Here’s what I’m hearing when I’m walking around the hospital. They say I’m a really nice guy (who wouldn’t be with all the treats they give out?). I hear things like my vitals (I think they mean vittles) are good, my bruising is going away on my tummy and chest and the edema (squishies under my skin) is going away too. I can say that I have BIG holes where my thighs used to be…I’ll be wearing skinny jeans when I get out of here!! These really nice people at Ohio State University Veterinary Center change my bandages A LOT. I know I’m going to get goodies so I walk right into the room where they clean me up. I don’t hurt much. They give me lots of stuff so I don’t hurt. Getting up and down is sore but I’m getting better at it. I get to eat LOTS of great food too.

More surgery on Tues, but maybe today because my wounds aren’t playing nice and healing yet. I’m not giving up because I know you’re all pulling for me.

Love,

Freddy.

Freddy resting comfortably at OSU

January 22, 2013

In the blink of an eye

Sunday night GRR received a phone call that a hound had been attacked in a racing kennel turn out pen. Without someone agreeing to cover his expenses to get immediate care he wouldn’t live. Yes, the dogs were muzzled but sometimes a fight breaks out, muzzles fly off and in this case, a just turned 2-yr old male, Freddy got torn to pieces. We couldn’t say no.

From Sunday until Tuesday, he was transported back and forth between a local vet and an overnight ER, but by Tuesday it was apparent they couldn’t provide the treatment he needed. With the help of friends, he was transported to OSU’s ER on Tuesday night. Through email, Dr. Couto and Dr. Kellogg with Ohio State University’s Greyhound Health & Wellness Program, helped us make all the arrangements. Freddy is critically wounded. We aren’t including the pictures of his most serious injuries (will be glad to share them if you email us privately) as they’re very gruesome but look at that sweet face! Freddy will be admitted to the soft tissue surgery department on Wednesday but we’ve already been told he’ll be in the hospital at least 4 weeks with multiple surgeries.

A very hurt Freddy