3rd Annual Molly Curtis Benefit Softball Game outcome!

What a great week we’ve had!  Charlie and I were the recipients of the funds that were raised by the 3^rd Annual Molly Curtis Benefit Softball Game!  There was a check presentation on Wednesday during the weekly Lancaster County Commissioners’ Meeting.  You can watch it here: http://hosting.videominutes.net/Player.aspx?handshake=55358&video=1986.

Charlie and I were given a check for $1,950!  This is such a blessing and will go directly to his rehabilitation costs.  Here is a picture of us with a few of the key people that made this happen.

 Charlie is doing very well.  His surgery was five weeks ago and he returns to see the surgeon this coming Thursday to be cleared to start back to his normal duties and playing!  He has been feeling better because he will bring me his ball that’s in the house and shove it on my lap.  We are taking longer walks (up to 20 minutes) and there is a lot less limping.  I do range of motion exercises with his elbows and he willingly lets me do them.  He goes to his rehab once a week where he gets water therapy, massage, exercises, heat, laser, and acupuncture. He always comes back relaxed and sleeps well that night!

There are a lot of pictures to check out on his Facebook page… www.facebook.com/charlietheservicedog.

Thank you for those involved in the softball game! 

Surgery Update

I am happy to report that Charlie's surgery went well and we had a great first day of recovery.  He is currently doing what he's mostly been doing since we got home... snoozin' right next to me on his comfy bed.  

In case you need a refresher, let me back up a bit.  Charlie was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis a few months ago and with the advice of a surgeon at UPenn Animal Hospital it was decided to operate as soon as possible.  The thought behind getting the surgery now instead of later is that it would relieve Charlie of his pain and possibly slow any further digression of his elbow joints.

We spent a couple of months raising funds through t-shirt sales, generous donations, a silent auction event at Commonwealth On Queen, and a softball event with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Deputies against the Prison's Correctional Officers.  We've raised our goal to cover the surgery expense as well as the rehab costs.  

Yesterday, we arrived at UPenn Animal Hospital in Philly around 7am.  We had a very brief wait until the talented Dr. Agnello and Mark came out to greet us and go over the surgery.  Charlie was handed over and whisked away for his pre op stuff.  He was weighed, measured, and had blood taken to make sure everything was in order to proceed with his elbow arthroscopy.

They put him under anesthesia and everything went smoothly.  They were able to remove the fragmented medial coronoid processes in both elbows- the one in his left was larger than his right.  They also smoothed out the areas that were rough and said the cartilage was severely damaged there.  The good news is that everywhere else the cartilage is healthy.

After they did all that digging and removing they gave him some injections to help with the pain and to decrease inflammation.  They kept him for a few hours to monitor him and let him sleep off the anesthesia.  

And then, I got the call I was wishing for all day- Charlie is ready to be taken home! They were gracious enough to let us go to him instead of them taking him to us... to know Charlie is to know his stress level was significantly lowered for us to go get him.  As we rounded the corner he looked so tiny with a soft cone around his head and as soon as he saw us he started whining and wiggling like a maniac.  It was obvious the drugs still had not worn off- he was very loopy!

We were given assistance to put Charlie in the car and as soon as he was in he plopped down right on my lap and snored for the whole ride home.  

He is currently restricted to very limited walking- 5 minutes at a time.  He gets his elbows iced and is on some pain meds.  We will slowly increase his walking and work on his range of motion, but he won't be able to run or jump for at least 6 weeks.  He gets his stitches out in 10 days and will be able to get into rehab then.  

Please check out his facebook page for more updates and all the pictures... www.facebook.com/charlietheservicedog.

Thanks for your love and support.  We really do feel it!!!

Benefit Softball Game

At this time next week Charlie will be on his way home from the hospital all fixed up.  I am so ready for him to feel better.  He has been having ups and downs; I notice the weather and AC affecting him the most.  He has been going to weekly therapy visits for the past 2 months and he loves it.  We will have to take a break after the surgery, but once he is cleared, we will start back up and go twice a week.

I work for the County and was recently asked by the Sheriff's department if Charlie could be the beneficiary of their annual softball game.  We are so honored to be a part of this.  I must admit, we're rooting for the deputies!   A lot of them know and love Charlie from work.

If you are able to, please come on out to the game, August 9th at 4pm to Field #2 in Central Park!

We did it! We did it! We really, really did it!!

 I still have to pinch myself because it hasn’t sunk in yet… thanks to your generosity, the $3,000 goal for Charlie’s medical fund was reached!

Last week the fundraiser for Charlie was held at Commonwealth On Queen (301 N. Queen St.).  We had a silent auction (see some of the items below), t-shirts, and books written by me for sale.  BUT, most importantly, the famous Charlie was there to meet and greet! 

He was completely exhausted from all the love by the end of the night (and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much)!  We saw many familiar faces but also had a wonderful time meeting some new people.  We are feeling very loved.

Charlie’s surgery is scheduled for the first week in August up at UPenn with their awesome staff.  But, before we have the surgery Charlie is going to go do some rehab locally to build up his muscles and exercise with less stress on his joints- he’ll be doing aqua therapy and acupuncture!  I’ve personally experienced both of those and know how relieving they can be so I am excited that Charlie can get that kind of treatment.

Stay tuned for more updates on his progress and THANK YOU for the support.  Charlie is truly blessed.

Thanks to the businesses and individuals that donated the following items:

·         Certificate to 1-800-PetMeds (value: $50)

·         Certificate to Stauffers of Kissel Hill (value: $25)

·         (2) Lupine leash & collar sets

·         A Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway- valid thru 12/2016 (value: $600)

·         Dance Envoy Semester Package- 1 class/week for 15 weeks and costume rental, leotard, dance skirt, tights & ballet slippers (value: $195)

·         Hand-made jewelry

·         Basket of goodies from Lancaster County Coffee Roasters

·         (2) Model Trucks from Ford Keller Bros of Lititz (value: $100)

·         Gift basket from Outback Toys (value: $50)

·         Hanging Flower Basket from Perfect Pots Container Garden

·         ProCare Physical- Strasburg , Pa   Functional Movement Screening (value: $200)

·         Edible Arrangements, Lancaster, $50 gift certificate in a mug   (value: $50)

·         Great Lengths Salon, Willow Street, Pa  One Massage and One adult haircut (value: $100)

·         Strasburg Creamery, Sweet Gift Basket  (value $30)

·         Melinessence, 50 N Queen St Lancaster  (value: $50)

·         David the Goldsmith $25 gift card  

·         Christina Maser gift basket   

·         Salon 717 - Cut & Color

·         POUR - (2) $25 Gift Cards

·         Campus Grille - $25 Gift Card

·         REology  Studio - Decorative Piece

·         Lancaster Trophy House

·         Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival - 2 tickets for 2015 Festival

·         Lancaster Hummus- 5 packs of Hummus

Fundraiser... TONIGHT!

Tonight is the big night! The fundraiser for Charlie is being held at Commonwealth On Queen (301 N. Queen St.) from 5:30-9pm.  We will be having a silent auction (see some of the items below), t-shirts that can be ordered, and books written by me for sale.  BUT, most importantly, the famous Charlie will be there to meet and greet!  If you can’t make it, you can still order t-shirts until Sunday from this site: www.booster.com/charlietheservicedog4

We hope to see you tonight!!

 

A few silent auction items:

·         Certificate to 1-800-PetMeds (value: $50)

·         Certificate to Stauffers of Kissel Hill (value: $25)

·         (2) Lupine leash & collar sets

·         A Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway- valid thru 12/2016 (value: $600)

·         Dance Envoy Semester Package- 1 class/week for 15 weeks and costume rental, leotard, dance skirt, tights & ballet slippers (value: $195)

·         Hand-made jewelry

·         Basket of goodies from Lancaster County Coffee Roasters

·         (2) Model Trucks from Ford Keller Bros of Lititz

·         Gift basket from Outback Toys (value: $50)

·         Hanging Flower Basket from Perfect Pots Container Garden

·         ProCare Physical- Strasburg , Pa   Functional Movement Screening (value: $200)

·         Edible Arrangements, Lancaster, $50 gift certificate in a mug   (value: $50)

·         Great Lengths Salon, Willow Street, Pa  One Massage and One adult haircut (value: $100)

·         Strasburg Creamery, Sweet Gift Basket  (value $30)

·         Melinessence, 50 N Queen St Lancaster  (value: $50)

·         David the Goldsmith $25 gift card  

·         Christina Maser gift basket   

·         Salon 717 - Cut & Color

·         POUR - (2) $25 Gift Cards

·         Campus Grille - $25 Gift Card

·         REology  Studio - Decorative Piece

·         Strasburg Creamery

·         Lancaster Trophy House

·         Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival - 2 tickets for 2015 Festival

Charlie's in the news!

In case you missed it, Charlie was in the Lititz Record!

http://lititzrecord.com/news/fundraiser-will-benefit-beloved-service-dog/

First Friday in Lancaster City Event