Libby is one of those very special rottweilers that you usually only read about in children's stories. Like Good Dog Carl, Libby's self-appointed job was to babysit and care for her family's 4 very young children. Libby's family also used her to augment their income, breeding her each time she came into heat. The father walked out recently, leaving the mother to support the family any way she could. There was barely enough money to feed the children, much less the dog, and as neighbors watched her get thinner and thinner they tried to help whenever they could. Mom began to work at home and on those occasions the children were left outside in an unfenced yard in a very busy industrial neighborhood.
But the ever-faithful Libby was right there. Time and time again this noble rottweiler shouldered the tiny children away from street, gently nudging them back to the safety of the front porch, away from the thundering big rigs. Then one day Libby began to limp. Before long she could barely walk. That's when we got the call for help. When Libby arrived she was very lame and was nothing more than skin stretched over bones. She had an angry, oozing rash that enveloped her body. Despite her obvious pain, Libby had nothing but kisses and a wagging stump for everyone she met. Over several weeks, with plenty of good food and lots of medicated baths, Libby gained 20 lbs and developed a glossy, shiny coat.
The doctors at the MSU Veterinary Clinic diagnosed ruptured cruciate ligaments in both knees with a torn meniscus in the right knee. Libby has just had surgery to repair her right knee and is recovering nicely. But she will still need an operation to repair her left knee before she is ready to find her lifelong family - one that will treasure her as much as she will treasure them.
Rescue is all about love and hopes and dreams. Libby embodies all those ideals but she needs your help to fulfill them. Thank you! From all of us and most especially from Libby.