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Zack |
 Zack and his siblings were the result of two neighbors breeding their Goldens together in their backyard. These neighbors from Stockton sold Zack to another neighborhood family. A couple of years later the family was splitting up due to a divorce, and Zack was either not wanted or did not have a place to stay. He spent about six months as a boarder in a kennel with cement runs while the husband decided what to do with Zack. |
 Zack was relinquished to NGRR in July of 1999 when he was just three years old. The agents involved could quickly see that all was not well with Zack. He had very little control of his rear legs, which swayed side to side as he walked. If his front stopped moving, his backside didn't and it would swing around and run into someone or something. It was hard for Zack to get up or down, and he wouldn't respond if you told him to sit. He was obviously in alot of pain, but it did not show in his overall demeanor because he had always lived with this pain. |
| The NORCAL agents for the San Joaquin Valley took Zack to see their vet, Dr. Paul Sessa. Dr. Sessa took some x-rays of Zack's hips and shoulders and gave the agents some pain medication for Zack. The medication helped alot, as Zack now played with the other Goldens until he was too tired. The prognosis was that Zack would require hip surgery to be able to walk witout pain and have some semblance of a normal life. |
 The people at NGRR started working on ways to raise the money necessary for Zack's surgery, since it was estimated to cost between $6000 and $8000. They talked with other area coordinators for NORCAL, and decided to ship Zack off to Contra Costa County so that they could get expert opinions from orthopedic veterinarians in the Bay Area. Meanwhile, everyone involved would work on fundraising efforts for Zack's cause. By December, Zack had seen several specialists and the prognosis was that Zack needed full hip replacement surgery on his right hip, with the possibility of hip dyslasia surgery on the left in the future. At the end of December, over $6600 had been raised, and the NORCAL agents began to search for a special adoptive family for Zack, a family to see him through his upcoming surgeries.
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| And then he was adopted...words from his adoptive family |
| For years we have always had a Golden in our family. In November our 7 year old Golden died of a brain tumor. Missing her greatly and wanting that special companionship, we knew we needed another Golden. Rather than a puppy this time, we really liked the idea of a rescue dog. We contacted Marcia Sakrison from NORCAL Rescue. Marcia was great. She told us about several dogs including Zack. Zack’s story was heartbreaking. But he sounded like a dog with so much potential. We decided on a trip to Salida to meet him and talk more with Amy and Larry Smith (Zack’s guardian angels). We could tell right away that Zack was indeed a very special dog and would fit perfectly into our lives. He came home with us that same day. |
| Zack has been with us a little over a month. His surgery will take place next week. Right now he moves like a run away train, mostly sideways and has a hard time stopping. He naps frequently after activity, and even with the Rimadyl he must be in pain. But Zack is the happiest, friendliest, most affectionate, loving dog! We feel very lucky to have gotten him. Zack may be 80+ pounds. But he is sure that he is really a big lap dog. Nothing delights him more than snuggling up for a good cuddle. He also loves running in our field, back legs bunny-hopping to support him. The wetter and muddier he gets, the happier he is. And he’s equally good-natured about the washing off he gets prior to coming back in the house. |
We can not thank you enough, all of you, who made it possible for Zack to have the coming surgery, to have a pain-free future. This wonderful dog deserves years of love and happiness and we will be able to give it to him because of your generosity. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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| Zack had his first surgery on March 14, 2000. |
| Dr. Lewis, an orthopedic surgeon, replaced Zack's right hip with a stainless steel one. We are happy to report that the surgery was a success. |
| The story continues... |
| Zack's getting around fine now. He’s doing great, seems happy and is just a little spoiled. Recovery from the first surgery seems pretty complete. However, he still has that ‘runaway train’ gait and not a lot of stamina for play. We suspect that the lack of stamina has to do with the deteriorated state of the other hip, and hope that will be corrected by the second surgery. |
 This past May, two months after the first hip replacement, the surgeon had us take Zack to a neurologist. He was concerned by Zack’s out of control gait and feared it might be caused by a progressive neurological condition. After examining Zack, the neurologist concluded that he had probably suffered a head trauma as a young dog. [Zack was hit by a car as a puppy and probably received head damage at that time. -ed] There is neurological damage, as evidenced by the way he moves. But there is no reason to believe Zack has a progressive disease. His gait will probably never improve, but neither should it deteriorate, and the new hips will keep him moving. |
Given this information, Dr. Lewis said that the second surgery should be done soon, to avoid undue stress on the new hip. We wanted Zack to have a little time without confinement before starting the whole procedure again. We decided to schedule the next surgery for early August, so he will be up and around again before the winter rains.
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| Zack's Second Hip Surgery |
| Updated !! Zack had the second hip surgery done Aug. 21. He stayed in Lakeport overnight, came home the next day! Recovery seems to be progressing both more rapidly and more easily than after the first surgery. Maybe because he is finally pain free and has a good hip now to support his newest one. |
| On September 5th he had the staples removed, all 2 dozen of them! Dan and Yvonne no longer have to sling walk him. Hurray! The whole recovery process has been modified since his March surgery - he now gets to do limited leash walking, starting at 2 weeks, rather than waiting until 8 weeks. It sounds incredible, but Dr. Lewis wants Zack to be walking as far as a mile at 8 weeks! This makes it so much more pleasant for him, not having to be so confined for so long. However, Zack is strong and pulls on a leash, so other walkers better watch out, he's apt to mow them over with that run-away gait of his! |
| Anyway, all going well. He will go back up to Lakeport in 6 more weeks for x-rays and hopefully a clean bill of health. But, all looking great so far! So, again we are extremely grateful to all those who contributed to the Zack Fund and gave Zack a chance at a second life free of pain. |
Zack and his siblings were the result of two neighbors breeding their Goldens together in their backyard. These neighbors from Stockton sold Zack to another neighborhood family. A couple of years later the family was splitting up due to a divorce, and Zack was either not wanted or did not have a place to stay. He spent about six months as a boarder in a kennel with cement runs while the husband decided what to do with Zack.
This past May, two months after the first hip replacement, the surgeon had us take Zack to a neurologist. He was concerned by Zack’s out of control gait and feared it might be caused by a progressive neurological condition. After examining Zack, the neurologist concluded that he had probably suffered a head trauma as a young dog. [Zack was hit by a car as a puppy and probably received head damage at that time. -ed] There is neurological damage, as evidenced by the way he moves. But there is no reason to believe Zack has a progressive disease. His gait will probably never improve, but neither should it deteriorate, and the new hips will keep him moving. 
