A year or so ago, Jericho, our beloved "Mr. Puppy," was hit by a car in what would be described as a "freak" accident. Jericho is a strong working-type dog, weighing in at around 75 pounds, and the force of the blow was strong enough to knock the front bumper off the car.

For three days the best dog I have ever had fought for his life. And because he was young and vital, he made it. However, it was the opinion of the attending veterinary staff that he had sustained an avulsion to the right brachial plexus, which is in the right shoulder area and from which all of the nerves that run down the right foreleg emanate. Their recommendation was that following a reasonable period of recovery and a follow-up re-evaluation, the right leg would likely need to be amputated.

Although I knew that three-legged dogs had every chance of leading a happy, active life, our situation was complicated by the fact that Jericho had been born with a mobile patella on one hind leg and although he seldom showed signs of weakness in that area, the fact was that he did not have the ideal profile for a possible three-legged life. So we began to explore alternatives, including acupuncture therapy and set about searching for some kind of device to support the right leg.

After a series of frustrating, dead-end searches, we located a company in the USA who designed splints for handicapped pets. Although these proved helpful, they were constructed of light plastic and Jericho, once out of recovery and wanting to go on the usual long walks that we took prior to the accident, would wear through them in an average of three weeks. At the price of $57.00 (US) each - and given the fact that Jericho is only 5 years old - I could see that I would quickly end up in a situation where amputation would be the only option. And to be forced to make that choice, when Jericho was continuing to regain feeling in the leg and after all that we had been through with him, was enough to provoke both tears and rage. What caused the rage was my discovery of just how little help, in the form of support devices, there actually was for owners and pets in this kind of situation and that what I had managed to find was neither cost-effective nor durable.

Then we discovered Jeff! Or, rather, a girlfriend saw Jeff on CBC television and insisted that I get in touch with him at K-9. When we connected by e-mail, it was immediately clear that I was dealing with a committed professional. Since we live in Montreal, Jeff arranged to speak to our vet and then sent her a short instructional film with the materials needed to make a cast of Jericho's leg. Like many vets, ours had little experience doing this kind of thing, and it took two tries before the cast was right. And two tries before the device itself fit properly.

Jericho presented Jeff with some intriguing problems to resolve - principally that he drags his right leg behind him when he trots. (Like any three-legged animal, Jericho found a trot or a running gait far, far easier and less exhausting than trying to walk.) As well, Jericho was very hard on the first version of the device, a fact that Jeff noted with a laugh and clearly considered a call-to-arms!

Jeff was absolutely determined to overcome these peculiarities and setbacks. I was impressed with his drive and his complete understanding of our situation and what we needed for Jericho. Like any really superb professional, Jeff viewed these developments as a challenge and one that could not possibly be insurmountable. The second version of the device - adapted to Jericho's way of walking and level of activity - arrived in an amazingly short period of time and it was just perfect. This is all the more remarkable when one considers that Jeff was working at the disadvantage of never actually seeing Jericho in the flesh.

I don't know that Jeff will ever realize how much hope he gave us. Or how his expertise has given Jericho another chance to live his life as the healthy, happy, active dog he is. The device is sturdy and its design encourages Jericho to re-distribute his weight to the injured leg. The cost was reasonable for this kind of quality and personal service - and I should probably add that I'm not a wealthy woman and still found Jeff's quote very fair. We are already seeing, less than 2 months later, that he is placing his paw properly when not wearing the splint and, when we do his physio exercises, Jericho "knows" that he must try to lean on his right leg when we lift the stronger one. He can play, jump and run the way he used to and can't wait to put on his "shoe" to go outside!

Thank you, Jeff. Because we love "Mr. Puppy" so much and because you were there to help, we will continue to think of you as our special, special friend.

Abigail, James and, of course, Jericho

Westmount, Quebec, Canada