This is the sad question we asked ourselves when we found out SASHA had been withstanding terrible pain since she was born.

Sasha, a Labrador mix, at 6 months.

She came to the Santuario de Animales San Francisco de Asis when she was about 6 months. She was always  very quiet and calm. She just laid around and was not very sociable at all. But a few months into her stay at the Sanctuary she seemed to feel more comfortable with her surroundings. She now wagged her tail, recognized her name and would actually come close to you.

About a month ago we noticed a funny walk on her. It was funny indeed, because she moved her rear end like she was dancing. Little did we know that it was no funny matter. It seemed that she had lost some weight because her hind legs were significantly smaller that the rest of her body. So we took her to Dr. Frontera at the Animal Hospital of Cabo Rojo, where he so kindly gave her his undivided attention and gentle care. (Thank you so much, Dr. for all you have done for our animals in Cabo Rojo!)

All it took was a simple X-Ray to find out that this poor angel’s hips were completely out of socket! (see the picture we took of the actual X-Ray!)

X-Ray Sasha - March 2009

The Doctor enters the room with this gloomy face and tells me: “She is going to need surgery. She is walking like this because the bone is rubbing against her hip and is extremely painful. She tries to compensate by shifting her position so that is doesn’t hurt as much, but the loss of weight on the back is actual muscle loss from the lack of use.”

As I write this story my heart just hurts. I actually feel real pain in there. Why? Well, the frustration I feel, the anger…maybe. At the fact that there is no hope for animals like these. In any other shelter they would be put to sleep. And if you just knew how full of life this incredible animal is! My heart just beats….it is NOT FAIR!

On my attempt to personally help this poor thing, I will contact a surgeon in San Juan who would be the one to do this operation. I will present the case to him….In the meantime, we at SAFAPR.ORG will raise money to at least give a deposit so that she can get this $1,800 operation done as soon as possible before she becomes worse. In these cases, if the animal is not operated, they can die of complications from the condition. But she could offer a lot of love for a long time if we are able to proceed.

I look at her and she looks at me. I promise we will save her.

YOU can be of GREAT HELP! Every bit counts! Don’t think that your contribution is too small!

Every grain of salt counts!

Our future of World Leaders are OUR kids!!!! God bless them and their hearts!

If you can help in any way….with a donation or with any information that can help us take care of her would be of great blessing. She is in otherwise great health and trusts we will not abandon her.

This DONATE button is specifically designed for this case’s needs.

***IMPORTANT NOTE: If you desire to make a donation specifically for this animal, please click the donate button above and not on our main page’s button. These funds will be set aside specifically for Sasha’s operation.

I will keep you updated on this case’s progress.

-Admin, SAFAPR.ORG