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| Name: |
Nana
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Age: |
Five years old
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| Gender: |
Female |
Breed: |
Saint Bernard |
| Home: |
Maryland, USA |
What
makes Nana special is that she is a survivor. She arrived at my
farm one very hot summer day four years ago, so thin her ribs were
sticking out and she was carrying one front paw, letting it flop
uselessly. She had the classic St. Bernard head but her body was so
undernourished she looked like a greyhound. She was a bit frightening to
look at. But once she'd polished off a bowl of kibble and a bigger bowl
of water, she settled down in the shade under the chestnut tree and
never looked back. Nana was home.
After a trip to the vet I learned that she was about ten months old, in
amazingly good shape for a dog that had been living "rough" for some
time, and that the paw was not broken, there was a bullet in it. I saw
the x-ray and there it was, a big slug just above her wrist. The vet
didn't want to try to remove it for fear of injuring her further and
said it was unlikely she'd ever use that paw again. In fact he thought
it would probably have to come off.
However... in no time at all, as soon as she got some strength back, she
started using that paw again. First just to rest it, then to use it,
awkwardly limping along, and soon enough, she was paddling along like
the Saint she is. Now I can't even remember which paw has the bullet in
it, though doubtless she will have arthritis in that joint someday. For
now, she reigns over the farm with the grace, humor and generosity
common to her breed. But one thing is pure Nana, when those red-rimmed
eyes fix on you and she starts to snort a big hello, there's no escaping
the pure joy in that big heart!
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