GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE TO HERO!

Despite Severe Injuries, "Ace" Saves His Savior and Wins North Shore Animal League America's Lewyt Award (January/February 2004)

 

       Ace's story is amazing.  It goes from heartbreak and despair to joy and hope and back again - and back again!  The "tail" has been recounted by many, but Richelle Gruber, Ace's new mom, tells it best….

 

A "Tail" of Hope and Survival -- By Richelle Gruber

       When I looked into the puppy's eyes, I saw only sadness, pain, and confusion.  Running stray, he was hit by a car and lay injured until a kind citizen called [Salt Lake County] Animal Services to pick him up.  Although the staff was very kind, they could only make the little guy comfortable and as pain-free as possible - and pray that his family would come to claim him very soon.  Injured animals come to the shelter every day, but there is not enough money or homes to care for them.  Sadly, most owners don't come to reclaim their pets, and this puppy's eyes said he knew he was not going home.

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        As I was about to tear myself away, my heart breaking in two, he thumped his tail twice on the blanket where he lay.  He was asking for help, and I could not refuse. However, I had no idea he would return the favor by saving the life of a friend and co-employee of the Wilson Veterinary Hospital.

       During the weekend, my boyfriend Doug and I mulled over how to help the nine-month-old Border Collie/Spaniel mix. On Monday, we returned to our jobs, but our minds were still on the puppy.  I sent Doug an email recapping my thoughts and concerns.  His reply was quick and definite:  "Go get him.  We'll figure out the rest later.  It will work out."  

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       Soon the amazing shelter staff had the puppy en route to Wilson Veterinary Hospital where Dr. Eric Bostrum and Dr. Jim Wilson examined him.  The news was not good, but it could have been worse.  Three fractures in the pup's pelvis, four in his left hind leg, and many torn ligaments in his right front leg were all fixable, but the road to recovery would be a long one.  Surgery was done the next morning; but even with Dr. Wilson's painstaking precision and skilled hands, the repair was difficult.  The puppy had been at the shelter for only a few days, but the fractures were estimated to be 10 to 12 days old.

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       The next day I received a call from Andrea Woodmansee, a 17 year old high school student who works at the clinic.  "Richelle," she said excitedly, "I want to help him; I want to help foster the puppy.  My mom said it is okay, so can I?"  Of course, I said yes.

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       Every day, Andrea brought the puppy, now named Ace, to work with her.  On the 4th day after surgery, she noticed a lump at the top of the incision site.  The pin had migrated a bit, so Dr. Wilson performed another surgery to adjust it.  Ace was whimpering so much that Andrea decided to take him home for the night instead of leaving him at the hospital.  The instructions were to keep the little guy quiet for the night. 

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        It was dark and raining heavily. Somehow Andrea lost control of her compact car just as she was approaching a ramp overpass.  Her car careened off the road, flipped over, and rolled many times down a steep embankment.  Andrea was ejected from the car and lay badly injured and unconscious at the bottom of the incline.  We do not know if Ace was ejected, but the mangled remains of the car said that he probably was.  Even with new injuries sustained in the crash, the hard luck pup made his way up the steep incline to the road.  Two men driving on the highway saw him running against the traffic and darting in and out of cars, so they pulled to the side of the road.  Dave and Max chased a frantic Ace another 300 yards before he collapsed.

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       Ace was not looking to be rescued; he wanted to help Andrea.  But Dave and Max didn't know about her or the accident.  It was clear, however, that the dog was badly injured. As Max want back to his car, he noticed a man running up the hill.  Jared had been following Andrea's car when it left the road.  With the spot where Dave and Max first saw Ace as the first clue, Max and Jared ran down the hill to search for Andrea.  In the meanwhile, Dave dialed the numbers on Ace's ID tag. 

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       When Max found Andrea, she was lying face down and unconscious.  Max dialed for help while Jared stayed with the young girl.  The accident scene was so hidden that the paramedics passed by twice before Max flagged them down.  While they quickly loaded Andrea into the ambulance, a very caring Utah highway patrol officer helped Dave and Max get Ace into the patrol car that raced the dog to Lakeview Animal Hospital.

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Both Andrea and Ace are recovering after a brave battle for life.  Andrea sustained numerous broken bones and lung damage and was in critical condition for 10 days.  Ace was unable to walk for more than a week.  His back was broken in the accident, and he also had bruised lungs and some internal bleeding - all in addition to the injuries he already had. It is unbelievable that Ace was able to make it to the top of the hill and run frantically to alert Dave and Max.  If Ace had remained at the scene or run away from the highway, Andrea would not have received help as quickly as she did and might no longer be with us.

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The Lewyt Award for January/February 2004 has been presented to Ace to honor his exceptional bravery and loyalty to Andrea Woodmansee and his courageous action that saved her life.  As a symbol of the award, North Shore Animal League America is sending the remarkable dog a plaque describing his incredible deed while Ace's new guardian Richelle Gruber will receive a $500 check.  The League will present Salt Lake County Animal Services with a matching plaque and check in recognition of the organization's rescue and care of Ace.

 

   

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