Special Needs Pet Feature: Kaylee

What is your pet's name?

Kaylee

How old is your pet?

Kaylee is about 7 years old. 

Where did you get your pet?

We adopted Kaylee from Remember Me Ranch Rescue, Baraboo, WI in June of 2011, where she had been since February 2011 

What is your pet's physical challenge?

Kaylee was hit by a car about three years ago, and her previous owners failed to seek medical treatment.  She has a spinal cord injury at her thoraco-lumbar junction resulting in severe sensory deficits and muscle wasting in her rear legs.  Her X-rays show subluxation of the left hip which could either be from the car accident, or possibly hip dysplasia.   She isn’t always quite sure where that left leg is! Happily, after a few months of rehab, her prognosis is much better than we ever expected. At the rehab clinic, Kaylee walks perfectly on an underwater treadmill and gets laser treatments to reduce inflammation and pain. She also has lots of exercises and stretches at home to build strength and decrease her sensory deficits. She has gone from crawling 90% of the time to walking 90% of the time in just four months. 

What is your pet's favorite thing to do?

Kaylee’s favorite thing is to be involved with anything her family is doing. She is delighted to go on car rides when we run errands, be in the yard while I’m gardening, or just curl up and watch TV.  It must have broken her heart to be cast outside and ignored by her previous family. 

What is your pet's favorite thing to eat?

Kaylee loves the dried liver treats she gets at her rehab clinic. They are a good distraction during exams and an excellent motivator during exercises.

What do you love most about your pet?

Just looking at Kaylee makes me smile.  Even with all of the challenges and neglect Kaylee has faced, she still embraces life to the fullest.  And that is a good lesson for all of us!

What has your pet most taught you?

Kaylee is the perfect example of how resilient rescue dogs can be.  After being tied out and ignored for three years with her crippling injury and additional medical problems (embedded collar, Lyme Disease, UTI, and rotting teeth), Kaylee radiates joy and love.  I’m so lucky to be her mom!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’ve made it my mission to seek out senior and special needs pets to adopt from shelters and rescues.  I know these animals will wait the longest to find homes—if they ever find one at all.   And I’ve never been disappointed—being a “rescue mom” has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Visit Kaylee at her blog.

 ***If you care for a special needs pet and would like your pet featured, please email me through my website contact. Send a photo and I will forward the questionnaire for your pet to be featured in an upcoming post.***