FORREST - His story

Our LIAR passed away on August 29th of 2024 and I'm quite sure I don't have to say this - but it's been devastating... But it's been more than that... It's felt like I lost my identity...

I adored LIAR! And I've lost other dogs which ripped me a part - but I healed I think because I had other dogs to help me heal... For the first time in 53 years - I was a dog person without a dog...

Yes, we have GIA... And I love GIA, but she's 100% Tim's dog...

Then the Brandon, Manitoba dog show came and quite frankly, I didn't want to go - I've been soooo depressed and just lost. But then, I also wanted to see the trophies I created for the Doberman Specialty...

I reached out to a friend to find out who all was coming in from Alberta... Tracy said she was entered but had a puppy from her last litter that was born on August 9th, 2024, with a paw deformity and may not be able to attend...

Many people had talked euthanasia for this puppy, but Tracy couldn't do it. She felt he had a lot to offer the right person! A few came and saw him but didn't want him...

Tim and I believe that God doesn't give you what you "want", but he gives you what you need... Tim and I made the decision on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024....

We're proud to introduce a new arrival to our family...

Cassels Knight of Blackforrest

Call name: Forrest

Yes, that's after Forrest Gump, one of my most favorite movies about overcoming odds...

So... We don't know where our Lil FORREST is going to go but I'll be with him helping him along - as he's already helping me along...

PS - our Lil Forrest is already WAAAAAY faster than I thought he'd be! I might need faster running shoes!

FORREST UPDATES!!!

FORREST: Dated November 25th, 2024
Almost 4 months

FORREST films: Dated November 25th, 2024
Almost 4 months

MEDICAL "SYMPTOMS":

Please see movement videos below.
He is a crazy active puppy, running, jumping, terrorizing GIA (6yo) and truthfully - exactly what Id expect from a "busy" Doberman puppy!
Almost totally potty trained - goes down 3 stairs, across a landing and then 3 more stairs into the now snow filled back yard to potty.
I currently take him out on a Flexi lead to TRY to slow him down but he negotiates all stairs well.
He strongly limps but has shown no discomfort or pain. I fear he's just used to it.
Very loving, snuggly and incredibly happy!
He uses his paw but does seem to lack control of it. For example - he uses his other paw to hold a bone while chewing and uses his bad paw more as a prop.
He strongly elbows in on his bad leg.
He sucks on us when tired. Where we originally thought that this was self soothing behaviour - I wonder if it's because he's in pain? He only does this after a play session when he's ready for his nap time.
Eating like a horse, pooping well, peeing well and sleeps like an angel in his kennel through the night and during his naps.
VET CLINIC:
- Dr. Shannon Steuart
- Meadowood Veterinary Hospital
- 160 Meadowood Drive Unit 9
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- R2M 5L6
- 204.255.0226

PLEASE FIND BELOW ALL UPDATES!

NOVEMBER 29TH - Dr. Steuart calls and relays information from Orthopedic Specialist. We have a vet appointment January 3rd at 12:00pm for rabies and another xray. At this current time, the specialist wants to watch FORREST's bones grow. The hopes are that allowing him to be free, his bones/muscles will grow (albeit maybe not totally correct placement) and when he matures, we can place a rod from his elbow past his wrist. He believes that FORREST's bad leg may be shorter than the other so with the rod in place, he'd be running with that foot on his tip toes. We could have a "boot" made for him at that time to protect his toes/foot. The bonus of allowing him to grow is that SHOULD he need amputation, we can keep as much as the leg as possible which would allow for a prosthetic. Having said all that, we will xray regularly and watch closely! In the meantime, we are to allow him to be 70% active... I forgot to ask if that meant 70% "normal" puppy activity or 70% Doberman high octane activity! Right now - FORREST is doing amazing!
NOVEMBER 28TH - Added movement videos below.
NOVEMBER 26TH - Forrest gets his own web page - he deserves it! Maybe if people have easy access to his information - they can help. PLEASE share! You never know who this might reach! Maybe someone knows something or maybe someone is experiencing the same thing (or will in the future)...
NOVEMBER 25TH - First vet appointment at Meadowood Vet Clinic: Forrest did amazing and had the whole clinic loving on him! He had a checkup with Dr. Shannon and even some xrays. Sadly, his paw is far worse than we imagined. Dr. Shannon openly admitted that she's never seen anything like it. She's sending the films off to specialists and we're hoping to get some guidance on where to go from here. Tim and I ask for prayers for our lil FORREST - this is truly heart breaking... Please pray that someone, somewhere HAS seen this before and knows what we can do to help him reach his fullest potential! Tonight I get to be a crying basket case, tomorrow - the work begins on how to help this little love bug!
NOVEMBER 10TH - FORREST comes home!
NOVEMBER 3RD - Decision made - we're taking FORREST!
AUGUST 9TH, 2024 - Forrest is born with a paw deformity...