It's been six months since a freak windstorm with 80+ mph winds out of the south east flipped a 12x16' metal shelter on top of Dex (nearly 30 years old), pinning her head underneath it. She kicked through the tin trying to free herself, causing an arterial bleed on her right hind and severe damage to her left hind. In sheer luck, we came on the scene shortly after it happened, and were able to keep her calm while Nina ran for the tractor to lift the shelter - and within 8 minutes we had her freed and on her feet.
The storm was still raging, as Dex fought for her life. When it became obvious the bleeding wasn't going to stop, we called every vet we could to the west - the opposite direction of the storm - and begged anyone to see her. Dr. Bryant at
Central Dakota Animal Clinic said yes and worked for several hours to save her life. She had five bags of fluids (25 liters), countless stitches, and even a seizure - but Dr. Bryant didn't give up even when we feared we had to. He truly saved her life that night.
The past six months have been hard, as recovery isn't easy at her age, but through it all Dex has kept a great attitude. She lost a significant amount of weight, and has a permanently large hind leg, but gets around just as well as she did before the injury. There have been plenty of times we've debated her future, the most recent because we weren't happy with her weight gain and were worried about winter, but the past few weeks she's started gaining weight like crazy. She is bright eyed, happy, has moments of sheer naughtiness, and all in all continues to be an amazing girl. She is on no pain meds or any other supplements, and just enjoys her senior feed and friends.