The Life of Riley – His History

Meet Riley. Riley’s new life as an Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) dog began on Tuesday, November 17 when he was picked up by Julie, ARF’s dog program co-ordinator, on a First Nations reserve.

We’re uncertain about how Riley got his injuries.  It’s likely he was caught in a trap, or perhaps a wire fence. We do know that Julie was picking up a few litters and a pup nearby. Someone there told her of an unclaimed dog that had been found earlier with a leg injury. His wounds were serious and needed immediate attention. Despite this, he was happy, loving, and trusting.  She took him in.

Julie brought Riley back to Calgary to see our vets at Southpointe Pet Hospital, where he continued to win over everyone he met. The leg, however, was in such bad shape and the wound had been open so long it looked like it might well need amputation. Riley stayed at the hospital overnight and had x-rays taken the next morning.

It turned out that — in addition to the large open wound down his foreleg — he also had a fracture. Nevertheless, the vet thought there was a chance of saving the leg so of course they decided to try. Riley was signed up for a long course of antibiotics and had the leg bandaged up and packed with sugar (apparently sugar can help deep wounds heal). During that first visit, the vet also discovered a large abscess on his side. This required draining with a tube that remained in for three days.

We brought Riley to our foster home on November 19. It looks like it will be several weeks, maybe a couple of months, before he is well enough not to require continual medical attention.  At that point, we will be able to find him his forever home.

At first, Riley’s leg was splinted to help with the fracture as well as bandaged for the wound.  This proved to be just too much for Riley’s little leg, as the stress of the splint was causing sores. The strategy has now been revised to focus on healing the main injury — the wound — and then to work on the fracture.

The bandage may not look like much, but Riley’s injuries are extensive.  There isn’t much left on his foot and lower leg except for some connective tissue.  He’ll always have a large scar to tell his story, and only time will tell how well this will all heal up.

You can help. ARF’ does everything it can to help a dog or cat once rescued. We expect that Riley’s vet bills will be costly. With his frequent visits to the hospital while he heals, the total could reach a few thousand dollars, depending on how well he recovers. If it turns out we need to amputate later, the costs will be even higher.  None of this will be picked up by Riley’s adoptive family, but will be paid by ARF.

ARF is a registered charity, staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and reliant on donations. You can help Riley, and other dogs and cats like him, by donating here. Riley’s story is just one of hundreds.  With your support, we can give these stories happy endings. Thank you, from the bottom of Riley’s heart.