Dog Stories by Marie Cargill:

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GORDIE (a SHELTIE)

With their soft, silky fur and sweet faces, shelties are a delight for the eye and Gordie was a perfect size and shape with a beautiful face. But Gordie could not walk. Although his gestation and birth had appeared normal, the puppy’s back legs were useless. Bob and Joanne who had visited the breeder to acquire a new dog, fell in love with Gordie’s sister. When they asked about Gordie, they were told that he was scheduled for euthanasia. The dog was worthless as a show dog, a breed dog, or even as a pet. The family couldn't leave him behind; they adopted him along with his sister. But what of the future? He was going to grow. Could the family continue caring for him, carrying him in and out, and cleaning up after his incontinence?

Bob and Joanne began the round of veterinarians in the fields of orthopedics and neurology looking for an answer. Basically the doctors said the same thing that there was nothing they could do to get the little dog to walk.

During the search, Bob learned about Marie and the possibility of acupuncture helping Gordie. Bob and Joanne made the initial appointment and listened to a treatment plan unfold, then agreed to a short series of acupuncture treatments with the goal of judging how the puppy would respond. Within three treatments, Gordie could lift himself on his back legs, and although much of the attempted walking was more stumbling, the puppy began to use his legs. With continued treatment, he surprised everyone by being able to run and play with his sister. This was a happy ending to a big problem and a beginning to a normal life for the dog.

Gordie is one example of numerous dogs with all kinds of medical challenges which alternative medicine either cured or helped. Gordie's human companions did not give in to the conventional negativity of 'nothing we can do'. Instead they believed there had to be a solution; acupuncture in this case, was their answer.