My name is Boomer.  At least that's the name that my foster mom gave me.  I like it though.  It suits me perfectly, because I'm always happy and have a quick tail wag for everyone.  I love children and cats and love to play with me, too.
    I was born, about  year and half ago.  Right from the start, I know I was different from my siblings.  They crawled around easily and were up and running in weeks.  But somehow my legs just didn't work the same way as theirs.  I learned early that I didn't have normal legs like my brothers and sisters.  My left front leg is only half a leg, with a hook on the end.  It didn't matter to me, though.   I learned to run and play anyway. Unfortunately, because of the way I walk, my back and hips twisted up one me.  I kept running anyway.

    Then, when I was old enough I was given away to some lady.  I don't remember her so good now.  It just seems so long ago. It's a little fuzzy how things happened, but I managed to get away from her.   I wasn't free for long though, for I soon found myself in the Leavenworth animal shelter.  I waited there for someone to choose me to be theirs, and take me home, but no one did. 

  Finally, the day came.  I had watched many animals go into "that room" in the back and never return.  Now it was my turn.  At least there would be no more pain in my twisted up body.    But a miracle happened that day.  A most wonderful woman swooped me out of that place and took me to the vet.  Later that very day my foster mom came for me and took me home.  It was like a whole new world.  I had twelve acres to run on, horses to bark at, cats and dogs to play with and a family.    I had my own family!  It was like heaven, only the pain of my bent back and crooked hips continued to get worse.  

    It wasn't  long until the work of my rescuer and president of my group got me an appointment with that emergency vet's place, on animal planet, Alameda East.  Dr, Taylor said I could get a permanent implant and prosthesis to help make me a more normal dog.  Only first I had to have knee surgery.      My foster mom and my rescuers got me set up for knee surgery at Mission Med Vet in Kansas.   I had the surgery in March and am healing well.  I even got to be on TV and in the newspapers.  That was exciting.
   After I am done with all my surgeries I get to be a therapy dog and help kids learn to deal with the same things I've dealt with.  Maybe I'll even get to go to classrooms and teach children how to care for their pets. I'm really excited about that.  But first I need my implant and prosthesis.  I will be the sixth animal in the world to have this type of prosthesis.  One day they might use this for humans and they'll learn a lot from my surgery.  But it costs a lot.  We have some money saved but  we used most of it for my knee surgery.
    Will you please help me get my implant and prosthesis?  I get to be on  the news again afterward, and you can be my partner.  Maybe someday we can even meet and you can join me while I work my magic in my therapy work.

   Thank you friends for taking the time and effort to help me.

Boomer  

PS. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too! 
PSS. Check out my progress and all my news stories at  www.furrykidsrefuge.org