Dexter’s family was overjoyed to add such a happy, positive dog to their family when they adopted him in June 2015, and they quickly realized they couldn’t imagine life without him. But, nine months later, they were on the verge of losing him.
In an interview with Dodo, Kentee Pasek, Dexter’s mom spoke: “An owner’s WORST nightmare, a freak accident. Dexter escaped from the yard, and we were on search as soon as it happened, but he is fast. My husband Tim … found him running alongside the road. Dexter crossed the road right in front of a moving van. I got a call from Tim that ‘Dexter kinda hurt his front legs.’ When I arrived on the scene, it was WAY worse than I imagined possible. We live in the middle of the mountains and had to drive almost an hour for emergency veterinarian care. We were not sure he would make the trip, but he did, and his outstanding vet, Dr. Franklin, at the San Juan Vet Clinic saved Dexter’s life. Dr. Franklin credits Dexter’s determination to live.”
Dexter survived his ordeal, but his recovery took a long time. He had one of his front legs amputated, and the other was pinned at the elbow.
He had to wear a cone for nearly a year and had to relearn how to walk and get around. But even in the gruesome situation, Dexter was the happiest doggo their parents have known him to be.
“He was super happy just being alive,” Pasek said. “He was smiling, happy, and positive. There were many days his attitude was infectious for the rest of us. He was happy just to be. One day I placed him outside in his kennel in the sun, and he was so happy to be outside, even as injured as he was. He just loved to be with us.”
He never gave up and never even showed a hint of sadness through it all. This may be the reason, he healed like a champ. Not only that, he was determined to walk. Explore the world around him without anyone’s support.
So, he taught himself day and night to walk upright. With countless failures and falls, he finally stood up like a human with his two back legs straight on the ground. Seeing this, Dexeter’s mom jumped on joy. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“One morning I had Dexter in the front yard for his morning routine, and he was so happy, I went back in to get my coffee,” Pasek said. “When I came back outside, he was up on the front porch. I was shocked, a bit upset because he … had just had another surgery. I knew he was not putting any weight on his front leg, so I had no clue how he climbed those stairs. I carried him off the stairs and back to the yard and took out my phone to record his actions because I needed proof for myself and for everyone else in our household. He turned around and did it again. I caught him walking upright up the front stairs … I was shocked and scared he would hurt himself again. I remember feeling both amazement and apprehension over this determined dog.”
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