Bruce the German Shepherd
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When Bruce arrived at The Toronto Humane Society in late December, his prognosis was poor. Crippled by hip dysplasia, he was unable to move or even put weight on his hind left leg. At only 3 years of age Bruce had lost his puppyhood to the disease. And now he was facing almost certain death. His previous owner, confronted with staggering medical bills, saw no choice but to surrender Bruce. Yet where some saw a dead dog walking, we saw a valuable life: the THS vets arranged for a complete hip replacement and within a few weeks Bruce had an artificial hip firmly in place.
Bruce’s post-operative recovery is nothing less than a miracle. In early January he needed to be carried around in a sling. By February he was walking unassisted, slowly managing stairs and learning how to trot. March saw him running, playing with other dogs, bounding up and down stairs and getting into all the mischief he missed as a pup. Now it’s April, and as the fur grows in around the scars, and his confidence grows outward, Bruce is ready for a new home. Sure, he still has a bit of a limp — and the leg sometimes looks wonky — but Bruce is in great shape, and getting better every day. And, fingers crossed, there’s no sign of dysplasia in his other hip.
Duration : 0:0:46
24 Comments
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Make sure you visit …
Make sure you visit the breeder in person ask him to let out the parents to see there gaite and ask for the paperwork on hd, pin hip test. If they refuse they are hiding something or they are retarded and never tested there dogs.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
GSD’s tail dosnt …
GSD’s tail dosnt curl up.. his tail is fine
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Looks like my GSD’s …
Looks like my GSD’s tail.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Is there something …
Is there something wrong with Bruce’s tail? Isn’t a dog’s tail supposed to stick up?
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
beautiful dog
beautiful dog
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Thank you!
Thank you!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
YES. Make sure it …
YES. Make sure it is OFA (Orthopedics foundation for Animals) certified. Go to the OFA website, and you will be able to type in the dog’s or dog’s mother/father’s history, and then a report will be generated. There is a docket # that goes along with the breeder’s certificate next to OFA, so type it in.That, is the solution as far as genetics go to alleviate any fears of hereditary predisposition. It will make you a happier knowing there is a site with full. accurate, medical history.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I’m looking to get …
I’m looking to get a GSD puppy but I’m scared I’ll get one from a bad breeder or something and have this prolem…any advice?
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
This is an amazing …
This is an amazing video. I don’t know who put up the money for the operation or whether it was the humane society vets that did it for free but i applaud them and hope I can do the same for some animal sometime.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Ok=)
Ok=)
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Mine too! I also …
Mine too! I also like golden retrievers.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I like German …
I like German Shepherds there my Fav dog =)
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Bruce is very cute …
Bruce is very cute i am getting one in a month.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
He’ll likely need a …
He’ll likely need a home without too many stairs. I hope someone finds him, he looks like a keeper.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
nice, “human” …
nice, “human” approach to saving great dog ! Hats down to you, whoever you are…!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hi can you please …
Hi can you please tell me which medication/s your using? im thinking of trying either cosequin ds or cetyl m ? can you please help any recommendations? thank you peter
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
wonderful story, …
wonderful story, amazing dog
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
prednisone shots …
prednisone shots can do wonders in older german shepherds. my 11YOM had both legs trotting together and could not jump into the truck anymore. A few days after the shot he was back at it and in no pain.
This is great for older dogs who have mild HD or in his case atrophy in the leg muscles from old age. Not so good for younger dogs as it will shorten their life dramatically.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
How cute he is!
How cute he is!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
my dog has same. …
my dog has same. she has be put down because she is in so much pain yelping and cant even get up without any help.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
LOL…Nice shot od …
LOL…Nice shot od him taking a whiz at 0:24
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Bruce is still a …
Bruce is still a nice looking German Shepherd. My 19 month old German Shepherd has just been diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
What a wonderful …
What a wonderful story. I am proud to be a member of an organization that does such important and inspiring work. Thank you for helping Bruce and other beautiful animals like him.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I don’t live …
I don’t live anywhere near Bruce, but I hope he finds a great home. You are taking such wonderful care of him!