Kindle Edition Amazon Marianne Stephens Category:  Pets/Pet Care Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN-10:  1482685140 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 52 Copyright: April 6, 2013 Price: $3.99 (eBook) Sheltie dog Luke makes lifestyle altering, limited recovery after being hit by car. Despite injuries, he adjusts to walking cart. Nonfiction story of Shetland Sheepdog, Luke, who gets hit by a car and struggles to survive life-threatening injuries. Surgeries, physical therapy and acupuncture all help in his recovery. Some brain damage lingers. He uses a walking cart to move, and adjusts to a new way of life. Photos included. % of proceeds from sales go to various animal organizations. Excerpt Technicians brought a gurney out to the car for Luke. They used blankets and pillows to surround him and make him comfortable. Veterinarian Dr. Tammi Ruddell met them at the door. She knew he'd been found on the side of a road and wondered if Luke had broken his back and would need surgery. X-rays were done and Dr. Ruddell did another exam for injuries. Now it was her turn to consult with Mike and Marie. Luke had head trauma and the extent was unknown at that time. He had a broken front right leg, but gave no response to pain except a moan. Dr. Ruddell explained that with head injuries, pain can be "suppressed" (no response given), so little or no reaction to pain came from Luke. He was unconscious, and a neurological exam was difficult to diagnose, so there was no clear idea of the damage that might have been done. He appeared to be blind. More stabilizing treatment was needed. Luke was fed using IV tubes. He was given a mixture of TPN (total parental nutrition). And, water was given to him through syringes. Luke had lost weight as had been noted by the first veterinarian. Before being lost, Luke weighed 15 pounds, 7 ounces, and now weighed 14 pounds, 8 ounces. Their friend, Pam, met them at the hospital to offer support. Two friends, Amee and Kathy, stayed at Mike and Marie's house to care for their other dogs and to help in notifying others that Luke had been found. Dr. Ruddell offered compassionate, professional help and talked to Mike and Marie about their concerns. One agonizing question remained in their minds; should Luke be put to sleep? Dr. Ruddell was asked what she would do if Luke were her dog. She responded by saying that she would wait 24 hours at a time to make that decision. This would give Luke a timed period to show a recovery progress. Dr. Ruddell's honest answer gave Mike and Marie hope and they agreed. The hospital could offer all their services and help, but the fight to survive, one day at a time, was up to Luke. Video/Trailor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRGSp_dKuaA

Writer's Digest
"While this is a story of a special dog, this is just as much a story of special people. The photographs add so much to this book."

"His story gives inspiration and hope to those who might give up instead of working to get back to a useful life. Luke is a special dog and you are special people. Your writing is clear and flows well. The pacing of the book is about right, moving the story right along." - Judge, Writer’s Digest Self-Published e-Book Awards.


Go Lukey!
As a friend of Luke's caretakers from before he went missing, I've been there to see him recover from the very brink of death. He was barely able to move when he first came home, but is now getting around and behaving much like a 'normal' dog thanks to the care and devotion of his owners, the cart that was fashioned for him, and his sheer will to live.

Look for the open window
We've all heard the saying "When one door closes, another one opens". In the face of what could have been a certain tragedy, Luke's story shows that there are open doors or windows somewhere if you have the courage to look for them.

Luke and his family's experience will make dog lovers cry for sure. But the term "rooting for the underdog" never was more true in reading this story. The power of the human - canine bond is truly amazing.