Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles


Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles is a non profit 501(c)3, no kill rescue committed to saving all types of German Shepherd Dogs from high kill shelters and adopting them to loving, qualified homes.

Sophie's Page

October 4th, 2012

Sad last update on Sophie

R.I.P. SWEET SOPHIE

Written by Bob and Hari, Sophie's tireless foster parents and Guardian Angels:

It is with tears in our eyes and profound sadness in our hearts that we must announce
the passing of our dear Sophie. She has now crossed the Rainbow Bridge, where she
can run around with all that have passed before her. The test results came back from UC Davis
and they were all negative. She had seen all the experts, and they still do not know what was causing
Sophie's problems. Dr. Sturges did describe to us what would start to happen to Sophie next
(it would not have been fun for Sophie), so the decision was made to let Sophie pass in peace.
We have the peace of mind knowing that everything that was humanly possible was done for
Sophie and that she received the best care available. Sometimes we have to accept the fact that life is
not always fair. Sophie was spoiled rotten over the last two weeks of her life. She was doing all her
favorite things, like lying on the grass, watching everything going on around her; she had her first trip to the beach;
eating every treat that her heart desired; getting massages, etc. Sophie has had such an impact on
thousands of people's lives. Her strength and courage to try to overcome her illness is to be commended.
She never complained and always did what was asked of her. In the end, her little body could no longer fight.
For all the donations, prayers and well wishes, Sophie will be eternally grateful, as will we, her guardians.
An autopsy will be conducted at UC Davis. It is Sophie's hope that they will finally find out what the
problem was with her and that dogs in the future will benefit from her last selfless act.
This chip-in page has been set up in Sophie's honor. Sophie would like to pay it forward for the next deserving dog(s).
Westside will get a call (they always do) about some dog in a shelter somewhere who is injured and
Westside will be their last hope.
This money will ensure that the next dog does not have to be turned away because of the lack of funds.

Sophie's last few days:

Oct 3rd update
... as written by her foster dad Bob:

She has gotten much worse in the last couple of days and I can't wait any longer.
When they said that it would progress to her neck next I thought they meant that she would have trouble moving her neck.
I did not know that it meant it would affect her throat and esophagus. I took her to Dr Victor yesterday thinking
she had pneumonia because of her heavy breathing and congestion. I guess her throat is affected because the noise was her
inability to swallow her spit so it was just sitting at the back of her throat.
All 3 of her doctors are in agreement that now is the time before the pain and suffering became unbearable.

Oct 1st update

It got worse today and I think that she is done fighting. Although the doctors do not know the cause, she has nerve degeneration.
Her back legs have stopped working and her front legs are now very weak. The next thing that will happen is that her
front legs will lose all function and it will progress to her neck where she will lose the ability to pick her neck up.
Finally it will go to her respiratory system and that will start to shut down affecting her ability to breathe until she eventually suffocates.
That would be a terrible thing for us to put Sophie through. Her chance of recovery has been put at 0%.

*********************************

July 6th update

I'm going to let my foster dad explain the latest, please read below:

Sophie continues to slowly improve. She is getting much stronger and CARE is now working on her core strength.
Sophie continues to go to CARE 5 days a week for treatment and has home exercises to do every night and on weekends.
Today she had a great therapy session, and stood for the first time since surgery over a physioball on her front limbs with
decent strength and moved her hind limbs a lot too. Also, tried to take a couple of steps on her own in the cart,
and we usually have to really coax her to do that. Her rehabilitation is a very slow process but as long
as she continues to improve we are very happy. Sophie has always had pain in her right shoulder which the doctor thinks
is muscle and nerve impingement. Just to be sure, she has an appointment with an orthopedic specialist on 7/24 to rule
out any orthopedic issues.
Sophie wants to thank everyone for their continued thoughts and prayers.
Sophie will be making a guest appearance at Westside's big event on July 28th for anyone who wants to meet her.

June 5th update!

I'M HOME WITH MY BUDDIES!
(scroll down to see pictures from my surgery)

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June 3rd update!
I had my surgery! Finally!
See some pictures below, looks a little scary.
I'm sure glad I got to sleep through it all!

Per Bob, Sophie's foster dad:
Sophie is out of surgery and everything went well. It was about a 5 hr operation. There was more fluid then they expected but they were able to get everything drained. After she comes home, part of her home therapy is for us to massage her neck and her entire body. She loves her neck massaged and when we stop, will push her neck against our hands to continue. She will start back at CARE on Wednesday for laser therapy and acupuncture. Now we'll just wait and see. Please keep fgingers crossed for our little girl!

This is me, relaxing before surgery:

I'm being prepped here:
(I know, I look funny with my tongue hanging out like that...)

This is during my surgery:
(wow, look at all those gadgets, I wonder if they're chewable ...)

And here I am, all woozy, groggy and out of it, after surgery:

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Check me out hanging with my buds!
I'm waiting for my surgery, it's coming up fast, June 3rd is the big day.
I'm a little nervous but I know I'll be in good hands!

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Update 5-11-2012

Hi everyone! Thank you for checking on my progress and being such a wonderful support to me! You all have been
wonderful and the countless well wishes and lovely emails you all sent after seeing my first You Tube video made
me even more determined to work harder and start walking as soon as possible. Well, it looks like your
prayers and well wishes are making a big difference .. JUST WAIT TILL YOU SEE MY NEWEST VIDEO!
It's all baby-steps but I'm getting there, I'm trying really hard, and I'm so excited!

SEE MY NEW VIDEO HERE!

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Update 4-13-2012

After seeing a neurologist, we have learned that Sophie has fluid building up on her spine in the neck area,
caused by a cyst. A second neurologist is reviewing the MRI today to confirm this diagnosis. If the diagnosis
is confirmed, Sophie will need to have spinal surgery to remove the cyst so the fluid can move throughout
the spine unobstructed. The doctor believes this will take care of the problem, allowing her to
eventually regain mobility. Secondary to the cyst, Sophie has muscle atrophy from being down so long.
Sophie has an appointment Friday with California Rehabilitation for an evaluation to see
what can be done for her. We know there is still a long road ahead for Sophie in her recovery,
and we are so grateful to have you all to support her throughout this process. We couldn't help her without you.
Check out her newest video HERE
AND THEN
See her take her first few steps HERE
Thank you for your prayers.
If you can help us by making a donation to Sophie's medical fund, no amount is too small.

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