STERLING SILVER,
or How I Learned To Stop Chasing
Delivery Trucks As A Hobby

It was a day like any other day in lower central New York state. The clouds were out, the birds were singing nonetheless, and squirrels were clambering up and down the trees. Sterling Silver, a healthy young Silver Coated Labrador Retriever, was doing his best to catch those squirrels in their foraging for food. Sterling had never been successful in years of squirrel pursuit, but that had yet to daunt his enthusiasm.

This was also July 4th weekend. Most everyone was enjoying a three day weekend, except for those dogged few ordained to work that Friday. It was a time for rest and relaxation, to kick back and appreciate our nation's birthday. But not for Sterling, as squirrels never celebrated anything or took a day off. National overnight delivery firms were not taking the Friday holiday off, either, and, fatefully, Sterling's owners were expecting a package. Whether or not they should have kept Sterling in mind as they leisurely awaited their holiday delivery is a moot point now, as what happened next is now a matter of veterinary record.

Out in the front yard and about to bag his first squirrel (in his mind), Sterling was on the alert. The about-to-be semi-legendary delivery truck was making its way through the neighborhood, and would soon be hurtling down Sterling's block. Sterling could hear the truck before he could see it -- a row of hedges obscuring his view -- which proved to be a near fatal combination. Sensing peril from this ominous truck engine noise, Sterling threw himself into the face of perceived danger, diving blindly through the hedges at the unseen threat.

The truck driver had no time to react. All at once, a gray howling blur jumped directly into his view. The driver applied the brakes to come to a screeching halt, but the damage had already been done. Sterling's right hind leg had somehow been crushed under the left front tire. The howl of alarm quickly turned to a yelp of pain, as Sterling's owners came running to witness the truck driver easing his vehicle off the poor hound's leg.

Sterling's owners rushed him to a downstate veterinary center, where his condition was assessed. The area's top veterinarians were called in to confer.

"This looks complicated." commented one noted doctor.
"I'm unsure exactly how to handle this." remarked another.
"I think this is a job for Dr. David Leahy, of the Community Veterinary Center in Oneonta, NY. If anyone can make Sterling Silver walk again, it's him."
"Agreed." said all the vets, including those who hadn't said anything previously.

So Sterling was hastily transferred to CVC in Oneonta, where Dr. Leahy and his team quickly went into action.

"X-rays!" commanded Dr. Leahy.
"Roger!" replied Sarah, a CVC Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), who wasn't answering the call but yelling for Roger, another CVC LVT, to do so, as she was busy pulling out another dog's rotted-out teeth.

So Dr. Leahy, Roger, and Trish (another estimable CVC LVT), prepared Sterling for the X-ray room. Next, the necessary pictures were taken.

"Of course -- I sensed it immediately..." exclaimed Dr. Leahy, examining the X-rays,
"...a shattered tibia (the bone between the knee and the ankle -- Editor's Note).
"Quick -- prepare for surgery!"

So Dr. Leahy and Roger got into their scrubs, and wheeled Sterling into the operating theater. Methodically, but with an unshakeable mien, the men began putting Sterling Silver back together again. With a combination of Artificial Bone Graft (tricalcium phosphate, which stimulates bone growth), a Stainless Steel Bone Plate (They aren't made in sterling silver - Editor's Note), and most importantly, rare skill and know how, Sterling Silver was put on the road to recovery.

Almost miraculously -- but routinely for the men and women of CVC -- Sterling Silver was up and walking the next day, the Stainless Steel Bone Plate providing the necessary support (see photos below). Over the next few days, the support staff at CVC helped Sterling grow accustomed to his new way of walking, and he was soon sent home, practically as good as new.

Today, Sterling can be once again found chasing squirrels on cloudy days, but is a little less eager to dash blindly onto the road, or so his owners claim. Perhaps you can teach an older dog new tricks, and that sometimes such knowledge comes by delivery truck.

—- Steve Monosson, as informed by Dr. David Leahy