Mingus is the most adventurous dog you'd ever be so lucky to meet. He's fiercly brave and tough, but he'd never hurt a soul. Why would he when he sees everyone as a potential playmate? He's too busy thinking about his next antic, and what he does next is always a surprise.



Yesterday, at his grandparents house in the country, Mingus was playing with a hose in a kiddie pool, when he fearlessly jumped off an 8 foot ledge chasing a ball and fractured his front leg in 2 different spots. He cried in pain and I can't stop hearing it on repeat but he laid still, knowing we'd take care of him.



We rushed him to an animal hospital but the surgery was so complicated he needed to be taken immediately to a surgeon in Manhattan. We left immediately, and Mike carried his 80 lb baby down W 55th Street to the ER because his world depended on it.



Mike barely held it together, and I still can't, but Mingus has been so strong. Despite it all, he was worried about me. He rested his head on my lap on the ride into Manhattan, and forced his way to sit up on guard when Mike or I left the intake room to go to the bathroom. He only relaxed until we were back in his line of vision, but he kept watching everything.



I know he's 'just a dog' and one day I'll have to deal with the inevitable tragedy we as pet owners all sign up for. But in the meantime, I just want him playing in the water and chasing balls over very small ledges (max 2 feet).



A broken arm is a common injury for dogs, and I can't believe the medical bills are so large - pet insurance doesn't seem as stupid as I thought it retrospect (I'm sure that's an original thought) - but of course, Mingus's fracture was very uncommmon. No one who knows him would expect anything less from him. He never takes the usual path (or the stairs).



The surgeon said it went well, but the next 8 weeks are going to be very hard. He can't walk on it. I can't lift him and we live in a 2nd floor apartment but we'll take the best care of him known to man. I hear water therapy is good for him and I think he'd go for it (understatement of the year).



We'd appreciate any help you can give, the small amounts add up, and the last thing we want to worry about is the money. We'll take positive thoughts too. Mingus would love any attention. Thank you for taking the time to think about Mingus and to read my mopey feelings.

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