Russian Dignitary Visits Stonecliff

It was in July 2007, when Willard was 7 1/2, when we first started noticing his knee problem on a big scale.  In the few years before, he would sometimes get a bit lame after playing some EXTREME SPORT BALL CHASING, but it would always go away.  This time, the lameness just got worse and worse - from July on.  We cut back on his exercise but that didn't help.  We bought special Prescription Diet joint food but that didn't help.  Finally in October, I took him to a vet, who prescribed a concoction of medicine - which also didn't help.  A stronger type of medicine was then prescribed which made him have (gasp!) diarrhea in the house.  He was so embarrassed... Eventually, a "clicking" sound started when he walked and especially when he went up stairs.  Again to the vet where Rimadyl was finally prescribed - a "miracle drug" according to all - but again, no difference. 

I had been researching this problem on the web and finally made the decision that we should take him back to the US to get surgery.  Why the US?    When we had first moved to Russia in July of 2005, Willard had a terrible accident. I threw a big stick for him to chase and the stick bounced off the ground while Willard was racing towards it at 100 miles/hour. The stick poked him in the stomach and although the stick didn't go through his skin, it caused a massive hematoma that spread throughout his belly and into his legs - he was basically paralyzed because of the huge amount of blood in his back legs and feet.  We took him to a clinic here in Moscow and it was the absolute worst experience of my life and even more, his life.  There was place for him to lie except on a steel operating table in the middle of the waiting room, there was no one to take care of him so I had to be by his side at all times - 36 hours straight - watching his IV, emptying his bedpan, giving him water.  The clinic staff took him for an xray and dropped him on the floor as they were lifting him on the xray table.  They then gave ME the lead apron and made me stand and hold him for the xray while they left the room.  They told me he was so close to dying that they couldn't give him any treatment other than an IV.  They also did absolutely nothing for his pain, and I remember him going into basically a self-induced coma when the vets would come up and poke and prod him.  Becoming completely still and glassy eyed...    We used to call it going into his "place."  It took about 6 weeks for him to become halfway normal again, after this terrible injury and horrible clinic experience.  

So - THAT is the reason I would never consider any major treatment here for Willard - ever again.

The way I found Stonecliff Animal Clinic - I think it was a gift from God.  I've tried to "recreate" my website search so that your clinic comes up first, but I just can't.  But - the day when I had "had it", feeling hopeless and powerless and terrible about the pain my puppy was going through, I did a search on the web and Stonecliff came up.

I chose your clinic because of Dr. Kelly's experience in treating this type of injury.  Your clinic also looked great on the site - so warm and nurturing.  The fact that there were a few Labradors featured on the pages certainly helped too!  In addition - my brother lives very close and I knew that if Willard went through surgery, he wouldn't be able to travel back to Moscow right away, so I had a ready foster family with my brother and his wife!

Willard's arrangements for getting out of the country and into the US were incredibly easy.  We hired a vet here who works frequently with expats and he did all the paperwork for us.  The airport in Moscow was a breeze to get him through.  The flight itself was of course rough on him - about 12 hours or more by the time he got in his kennel to getting out - but he made it through and came out smiling at JFK!
 
He had flown once before - we bought him in Seoul, Korea - so he had the flight from Seoul to Moscow in 2005 - which was again a long one.  I would never take him on a flight for "holiday" purposes...only on absolutely essential flights. We  didn't give him any tranquilizers.  And of course chose a direct flight - no layovers.  We had to rent a car and drive to Vermont because we didn't' want to put him through another flight. 

We left him at your clinic for a few weeks, if I remember correctly.  We missed him like the world!  And appreciated so much the photos you sent of him and the frequent updates you emailed!  It was so wonderful knowing that he was taken care of in such a family atmosphere and was treated so special.  It meant so much to us.  My brother Jim and his wife Shelly picked him up in January and Willard was lucky enough to stay in yet another wonderful loving environment until we could come back and pick him up at the end of February. 

He has been back in Moscow now for a few weeks and his rehab is going well.  I remember the first few times I would take him out on walks when he first came back...I would feel so thankful that I didn't hear that terrible "clicking" sound anymore - that sound that made me feel so helpless and guilty and sad - not knowing how I could help him over here in Moscow.   We are so glad that we found your clinic.  It has made such a difference in Willard's life, to be on his way back to normal and free of pain. 

The entire experience at your clinic has been nothing but wonderful.  My only regret is that we didn't bring him there sooner.  Well...another regret is that either WE don't live closer to you or that there isn't a Stonecliff Animal Hospital Moscow...(yet!)

Our sincere gratitude goes to Dr. Kelly and the entire staff at Stonecliff Animal Hospital.  We could not have asked for anything better!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Rita, Brian and Willard Arnold

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