Marshall's Story
CLEARWATER - Marshall, a beautiful six-year-old male German Shepherd, was entrusted to the Humane Society of Pinellas back on March 16, 2007 by his sick owner who no longer could care for him. Marshall came to HSP with the regal appearance and qualities attributed to the 'war dogs' who serve our country; he is loyal, trustworthy and intelligent. Soon HSP learned that Marshall was falling in his cage and could not walk. HSP's medical team sent him to Dr. Callum Hay of Veterinary Surgical Services, Inc. in Tampa on April 2, 2007, and was diagnosed as having hip dysplasia needing left hip replacement surgery. Before his surgery date, Marshall came down with a fever and a stomach condition resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. Dr. Callum Hay's hospital diagnosed Marshall with gastric torsion (twisted stomach) and worked diligently to save his life. The hip replacement surgery was postponed while he healed from stomach surgery. Dr. Callum Hay kindly offered to perform both the stomach surgery and the following hip replacement surgery at a generous discount for the Humane Society of Pinellas. Also the hip replacement implant was graciously donated at a 50 percent discount by Gregory Pych, vice president of Biomedtrix as a donation to the Humane Society of Pinellas. The hip replacement surgery was done on September 25, 2007 and lasted a little over two hours. Marshall was in the veterinary hospital for four days recuperating and came back to HSP with a 12 week program of post treatment In the past three months Marshall never wavered in losing his spirit during the long treatment process. He seems to know HSP wanted him to live and walk. HSP's wonderful volunteers Tom Williams and Clarke Stephenson worked with Marshall every day - one on one to strengthen his leg muscles and get him moving, and take him on his walks around the shelter. He still needs some exercise as part of his surgery follow-up treatment. In the meantime, he loves his visitors and enjoys playing with his toys. His last visit with Dr. Hay was November 26. Everything has checked out and he has been given good bill of health release. Now Marshall is ready to go to a wonderful family that he so very much deserves. Stay tuned to see the happy ending to Marshall's eight month journey and story. Marshall never gave up on himself and the Humane Society of Pinellas never gave up on him. Marshall is a perfect example of the Humane Society of Pinellas' adoption policy that 'treats the treatable and 'trains the trainable' to give each animal a second chance at love. This was a true combined Tampa Bay community effort to help this wonderful dog. A home for the holidays is what will give Marshall's story the happy ending it deserves.
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