Buddy Goes to His Forever Home

IRONWOOD, MI - by Keri Singleton - Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - Buddy is a young Springer-Spaniel mix breed dog who obviously appealed to many people’s hearts. The Superior Chronicle and the Ironwood Daily Globe ran stories about Buddy, the energetic young dog who needed hip surgery. His hip was malformed and would cause him to fall after brief activity, or when jumping. His spirit was not to be broken, and he got up and ran until he was not able to anymore.

People opened up their hearts and wallets and enough money was raised for Buddy to have the surgery he needed. His surgery entailed shaving off the ball of his hip, allowing muscle to compensate for the loss, eliminating pain. The malformed ball would sit wrong in the socket, most likely causing pain with each movement. Dr. Calvin Kobluc performed the surgery for $1,600, much less than the anticipated $1,900 to $2,200. The extra money donated is in a fund to help other animals in the future. Dr. Kobluc is from the Alexandria Veterinary Clinic in Minnesota, and did the procedure in Superior, Wisconsin.

Buddy was a resident at H.O.P.E. (Help Orphaned Pets Everywhere), in Ironwood, Michigan. Edna and Bert Tatham, dedicated volunteers at H.O.P.E., were Buddy’s loving foster parents. They nursed him back to health over several months while he not only recovered from a head wound, but also hip surgery. Buddy’s recovery process included massage therapy, generously donated by Donna Coggins, of Pampering Penguin Massage.

Once Buddy showed his amazing recovery, the next step was to find his “Forever Home.” A screening process began at H.O.P.E. and they soon had to choose between six families, a previously unheard of situation.

In Florence, Wisconsin, Gloria Najera and her husband, Jerry Michalowski, were trying to recover from the loss of their beloved dog on January 22, of this year. Gloria and Jerry, owners of Wild Rivers Realty, were looking on the internet for a new furry family member and found H.O.P.E.’s site, leading them to Buddy. Gloria said her e-mail to H.O.P.E. included the statement that dogs “have a place in our hearts and on our sofa.” After driving from Florence, Wisconsin to meet Buddy, and meeting all necessary requirements, Jerry and Gloria were chosen as Buddy’s new parents.

Gloria came to get Buddy on Monday. Jerry was unable to make it due to work. Buddy will have full-time companionship, as he will go to work every day with Gloria and Jerry. Buddy will also have a place in the couple’s king size bed. Obviously, Gloria is completely smitten with Buddy, and his future is certain to be happy, safe, loving, and busy. It is a perfect ending to a story of a wonderful dog who got a second chance at life due to the generosity of many people. Actually, it is the beginning of his story, but he end of his journey here in Ironwood, Michigan. Go forth and have a wonderful life Buddy, we look forward to e-mail picture updates.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Buddy’s recovery and bright future in any way.

Thanks Go Out To:

ALL THE GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS AND WORKERS WHO GAVE MONEY OR TIME TO BUDDY’S FUTURE, BY MAKING SURGERY POSSIBLE.

H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter, Ironwood, Michigan---(906)-932-1511.

All the workers and volunteers at H.O.P.E. for taking care of Buddy.

Buddy’s wonderful, loving foster parents; Bert and Edna Tatham.

Dr. Calvin Kobluc, from Alexandria Veterinary Clinic, Minnesota.

Ironwood Daily Globe, for running stories about Buddy.

Donna Coggins, of Pampering Penguin Massage -- (906) 663-4233. Thank you for the wonderful healing massages you generously donated to Buddy.

Buddy’s wonderful new parents for giving him a forever home; Gloria Najera and Jerry Michalowski.