Thanks To Twin Falls Listeners Griffin the Dog May Be Getting a New Ankle

On Tuesday, December 11th, I took Katie’s dog Griffin in for an x-ray because we were worried that his leg had been hurting. It turned out to be much more than just pain.

The x-ray revealed Griffin had buckshot embedded in his back and hips, and his right rear leg had been broken in two places–his knee and ankle–and improperly set leaving the joints to be almost fused and useless. A shelter dog before Katie adopted him, Griffin looked to be the victim of animal cruelty.

But thanks to Twin Falls listeners, Griffin may be getting a new ankle!

Katie joined me on air the day following the vet appointment to talk about her Griffin, and how she felt when she was learned what happened to her dog:

I was very hurt that someone would treat any dog that way, but he’s my dog. And to think that somebody that hurt him in that manor really bothered me.

The vet Griffin saw didn’t see a clear way to fix Griffin’s leg, and could only speculate at the long-term effects of the damage to the joints. They knew he would have arthritis, and that Katie would most likely have to manage her dog’s pain with pills.

Shortly after the interview aired several listeners called in and directed Katie to the Sun Valley Animal Center. They told me that the vets there could work miracles. Katie and I contacted Randy Acker, had Griffin’s x-rays set up, and waited.

This morning Randy Acker called Katie to inform her that he would like to see Griffin and make him part of a special ankle replacement study. The study, which is a joint American/Russian experiment, will mark the first time a dog’s ankle joint has been completely replaced with a surgical prosthesis. And Griffin could be a great candidate for the experiment!

Griffin could regain full use of his leg.This is miraculous news!

Katie and I wish to thank all of the listeners who called in and directed us to the Sun Valley Animal Center. Thanks to you, Griffin won’t be just another dog who was abused senselessly and discarded.

Thanks to Twin Falls listeners and the Sun Valley Animal Center Griffin will walk again!

Thank you!

Related: Read the original article and hear Katie's interview here