First, let us introduce you to Chloe. She came to Golden Treasures in November 2012 from a family who saved her from poor living conditions. At the time they took her in, they noticed that she had a hind limb lameness. Over a matter of a few short weeks, she was no longer able to stand or walk. They recognized that they were no longer in a position to provide her with the care that she needed and contacted Golden Treasures.

Chloe was brought to The Ohio State University for evaluation. She was very weak, muscle wasted, and covered in fleas. Her back legs were visibly deformed and she had pain in her elbows. The vets determined that she likely was infected with an organism called Neospora which affects the muscles. They recommended that she undergo aggressive rehabilitation to strengthen her fore limbs and potentially salvage function in her left rear.

Chloe underwent 8 weeks of rehab, including underwater treadmill, ultrasound therapy and other exercises to try to improve range of motion and strength. Ultimately, it was evident that she was not going to be able to use her hind legs effectively to walk. An adjustable cart was purchased for her so that she could have more freedom. She does well in the cart and loves to go for walks outside. She likes to walk herself with a leash in her mouth! Chloe is housebroken and completely continent.

Chloe is a golden retriever through and through. She has the sweetest personality and needs to be with the family all the time. She loves to be held and cuddled. She is very snuggly! She has been very well socialized, gets along great with other dogs and cats and loves to play with them. She is fantastic with strangers and all children. She travels well in the car. She has a sassy personality and is not afraid to let you know when she needs or wants something.
The ideal home for Chloe would be one where there is a family who can share in her care. Although she does well in the cart, it is not something that she can remain in all the time. She has to be walked with a sling several times a day. The family that adopts her will need to be able to accommodate this need as it becomes more physically demanding. She is currently about 33 lbs and growing, but can quickly take a toll on someone’s back. She can “army crawl” across the floor and does better on carpeted surfaces.

We’re looking for one or a family of angels who are willing to continue with rehab and be able to address medical concerns as they arise. It should be assumed that she will be cart-dependent for the rest of her life.