08/15/2026
Dear Supporters & Friends,
We wanted to reach out and give everyone an update on our sweet 16-week-old German Shepherd, Shadey.
For the past two and a half weeks, we did everything humanly possible to try and save her leg. We wrapped, re-wrapped, and managed five different cast changes, keeping a close eye on her recovery and hoping her young body would heal.
Unfortunately, at her latest checkup, her X-rays brought us difficult news. Because her initial injury from the attack was a severe SalterHarris-type fracture, the growth plate in her tibia was permanently damaged and stopped functioning properly.
As a German Shepherd puppy with so much growing left to do, this meant her broken leg would never reach its proper length. Leaving it would have subjected Shadey to severe limb deformity, mobility issues, and a lifetime of chronic pain.
After thorough discussions and getting consensus from three different veterinarians, the message was clear: the kindest, most loving option to give Shadey a full, active, and pain-free life was amputation.
Shadey just came home from her surgery yesterday evening.
A Transparency & Cost Update:
From the moment she was surrendered to us after her emergency care at the Atlantic Veterinary College ($1,138 for her initial X-rays and cast *sponsored*), through her X-rays and re-wraps (~$388 *GoFundMe*), an additional vet visit ($146), and today’s amputation surgery ($1,989.67), her medical expenses have surpassed $3,660.
This is exactly where your donations go. Sometimes it costs thousands before we have an answer. We always need your help with donations. We are 100% funded by your donations.
Because major surgery comes with ongoing risks like infections, suture checks, medication, and follow-up care, we know we aren't completely out of the woods yet. We are continuing to monitor her closely and manage her medical costs as she heals.
While seeing her on three legs takes some getting used to for us, puppies are remarkably resilient. The most important thing is that she is now free from a damaged, painful leg. Once her incision heals, she will finally be able to run, play, and grow without pain holding her back.
She doesn’t know that everyone looking at these pictures is feeling sorry for her.
She knows food.
She knows people.
She knows toys.
She knows affection.
She knows she is alive
And today, that is enough.
We have uploaded her latest X-rays so you can follow along with her medical journey.
We cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your donations, shares, and kind words over these past stressful weeks. Your support made it possible for us to seek multiple veterinary opinions and get Shadey the exact medical intervention she needed.
Please keep our brave little tri-pawd GSD in your thoughts as she rests and recovers at home! We will keep you all posted as she learns to navigate the world on three legs.
With gratitude,
Daniel & Shadey
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-shadey-heal
