Trooper has an unbelievable story to tell, I'm sure. But since he can't tell it, I'll do my best to recreate what I think his story is.

One of our adopters called to tell me that a stray had been picked up and taken to the Anniston AL shelter. She said he was in bad need of medical attention. When I called the shelter to get more information, I learned that they had to hold him for 7 days and during those 7 days, he couldn't receive any medical care. I told the shelter that if he was not reclaimed by his owner, I would take him into our program. So when his owner didn't show up (and we never thought he/she would), I drove down to Anniston to pick up this poor boy.

Apparently Trooper had been hit by a car because he has several broken bones. The left side of his pelvis is badly broken, his right femur is severely broken and he has another break in his fibula in his left leg. He also has an injury to his left wrist. So, this poor guy was in terrible pain for a week. In addition to the fractures, he had a terrible case of sarcoptic mange and severe entropion, which has caused some ulceration to his corneas. He was painfully thin.

When I first saw the x-rays, I questioned myself about whether I was doing the right thing for Trooper or if I should put him down. But that thought only lasted a minute. Trooper has a wonderful temperament, even with all that has happened to him, and even when he is obviously in so much pain, he wags his tail and licks my hand. Nope, Trooper you're worth every $ and every hour it takes to get you mended.

These are pictures of Trooper while at the shelter.

Before Trooper can have surgery to repair his broken bones, we must get the mange cleared up. It is much better now and he has gained 7 pounds in 12 days. He is feeling so much better. He's on pain medication daily as well as an antibiotic for the skin infection.

This is Trooper 14 days after leaving the shelter. He still has a long way to go, but he is so much better than he was.

Because Trooper's injuries are so severe, our local veterinarians aren't able to do the surgery. My friend and pei lover, Vicki, has made arrangements for Trooper to have surgery in Jonesboro AR. This surgery will be done by a human orthopedic surgeon assisted by a veterinarian. We are hoping that Trooper will be able to travel to Jonesboro with Vicki the weekend of May 21 and have surgery early the next week.

Trooper's surgery could not have been possible without some very generous people. I put out a plea for help and the $$ started coming in immediately. A very special thank you to everyone who contributed. If you would like to make a contribution to Trooper's medical expenses, please e-mail me at chs@sewanee.edu.

5/31/05: Trooper left our home this morning at 8:45 to go to Jonesboro AR. He will have surgery there tomorrow afternoon. The picture is of Trooper and Vicki just before leaving. We are praying that everything goes well with the surgery and Trooper's recovery and rehab.

6/2/05: E-mail from Vicki in Arkansas

Hi Cindy,
We went back to see Trooper about 4:45 this afternoon.  He was up and wagging and giving kisses.  He was so strong he almost escaped from his run by pushing past me.  He was quick and strong.  I think he wants to go home.  Dr Mark said that he could have gone home today, but I don't think he is up to the trip yet.  After 6 hours of surgery yesterday, I think he needs another day or two.
He has had so many visitors that Dr Mark said he was going to start charging admission for people to see him.  LOL.  Even Dr Shanlever's wife came by to check on him this afternoon.  Dr.  Mark's wife wasn't there yesterday, so she didn't meet him until this morning and she was telling me that he was the sweetest dog she had ever seen.  He is really a miracle dog.
As long as he continues to progress as he seems to be doing, he will be back at your house early Sat afternoon.  He has put him on rimadyl for pain because he said it would be better for all the soft tissue injuries that he has.  Other than his beautiful face looking like he has been in a heavyweight boxing match,  he is as good looking as ever.  I took some pictures for his album.
I will check on him in the morning and go by tomorrow afternoon.  I'll let you know how he is doing after I see him tomorrow.
Vicki

UPDTAE 6/8/05: Trooper is home and recovering from his multiple surgeries. He had the broken pelvis and broken femur repaired, he was neutered and he had entropion. Whew! Poor guy!! He's doing fairly well, I suppose. The hip is doing great, but the leg is still very painful for him. He hardly puts any weight on it. We had to put the e-collar on him because he decided it was time to take the staples out!

We started out putting him in a Great Dane size crate, but yesterday, we changed him to a 3 x 3 puppy playpen. I think he is more comfortable now because he has more room to spread out when he sleeps.

He's such a good boy, only barking when he's hungry or needs to go outside to the bathroom.

6/20/05: Trooper is healing nicely. He started using his right rear leg (the one with the most damage and the most extensive surgery) on Saturday. He tolerates being confined so well. I know he can't wait until he can play with the other dogs here.

Trooper with the grandkids

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FROM TROOPER

7/6/05: It's been 8 weeks since Trooper's surgery and he is really making good progress. He still doesn't bear full weight on his right leg which had to have the most repair, but he's using it more and more each day. His coat has grown back completely and his eyes have healed. Trooper is very affectionate and so well behaved. I often wonder if he didn't get lost from his family somehow. He's a happy boy even though he still has to spend most of the time in his cage. He will be having x-rays on Thursday to make sure everything is healing as it should be.

7/7/05: Trooper had his x-rays done today and everything is healing as it should be. The broken leg still has a way to go, but the doctor says it is on track. He was such a good boy that they didn't even have to sedate him to do the x-rays.

7/12/05: This very beautiful story below was written by Talia Worth who is one of our very special adopters. This is about Trooper and what his story has meant to her personally. I am so touched by Talia's words that I would be selfish not to share them with you. The world would be a better place if there were more Talias in it.  This is what rescue is all about.



And a Little Dog Shall Lead Them
by Talia Worth

In today's society, it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities of our lives. With cell phones attached to ears, e-mails popping up non-stop, the fax spewing out information, the television giving us blow by blow details of worldly events, and families to attend to, we are busy people. Sometimes it is hard to discern what needs attention and what we can throw on the bottom of the pile. If we were to stop for one moment and listen, really listen, to what is going on around us, we would  be stunned and amazed at what is important and what can wait. A dog named Trooper and some very special people made me stop, wait, and reevaluate what is truly important in my life.

I have known Cindy Sherrill a little over two years. After losing my pei to renal failure, I adopted a huge, wrinkled, bundle of love named Moose from Cindy's organization in Tennessee. If you would have asked me a few years ago could I picture my home filled with crates, and several rescue dogs running around my hard wood floors, I would have probably growled and walked briskly past mumbling, "No. I have a dog. We're busy in Atlanta."

After adopting Moose, my roommate, Celia and I, became more acquainted with Cindy, her husband, Galon, and their wide circle of rescue friends and volunteers. Before we could spell shar pei, we were transporting dogs, picking up lost puppies, and running a mini- rescue kennel of our own to help Cindy out. No one forced us or made us feel we had to; it just happened and it felt right.

It is hard, very hard, to worry about what's the latest gadget, CD, DVD, or movie, when you pick up a dog that hasn't eaten in weeks and his ribs are showing. Suddenly, the sixty, or seventy hours at the office begin to fade into the background when you have six or seven grateful, wrinkled faces to truly appreciate your love, attention, and care. You look at homeless people differently when you give a dog a bath that has been at the shelter for weeks and weeks and he looks up at you and gives you a lick on the hand. The heart melts, and so many things that once filled your time become still and quiet. Strange answers to questions that should have been asked but never were pop into your head. Gee, I can live without Nintendo. The soup kitchen in my community could use these clothes I don't wear. I could volunteer a few hours at the Humane Society on the weekend. My neighbors name is...

A few months back, Cindy e-mailed Celia and me about a dog in an Alabama shelter. I hate to admit it, but I thought he might be a lost cause. I began reading about his injuries and I was crushed. He had been hit by a car and his pelvis, legs, and wrist were broken. He also had sarcoptic mange and severe entropion that produced ulceration to his corneas. To top it all off, he was extremely malnourished and in great pain. After that chilling description, Cindy wrote, 'she thought he could make it.' I sat at my computer for awhile and thought about my response. She was kind of asking for a tad bit of guidance. You know that nagging feeling you get after you have already made up your mind about something, but you just want your friend to agree with you so you can sleep ? She was literally making or had made a decision about this dog's life, or death. If Cindy was optimistic, I would not be the one to tell her it was a bad idea to rescue him. In turn, I responded enthusiastically and soon, thereafter, learned of the dog's good nature and will to survive. She named him "Trooper."

When I downloaded the first picture of Trooper, I smiled and winced. He kind of looked like a cross between a hyena and a jackal. As we say in the South, 'he was an absolute mess', but emanating from inside his sad eyes was something special and I could see why people were concerned for his well being. I thought about Trooper a lot during the next few days and weeks. I was going through my own challenges while trying to change careers and competing with younger, hipper kids in the job market. I missed managing a team and I thought about leaving the restaurant industry altogether and going into retail. I would go to interview after interview trying to find that special "SOMETHING" I could do that would allow me to manage a team. It was while searching the job sites that inevitably I would get bored and would read what shar pei were in rescue. Whenever Cindy would call, she'd up date us on Trooper and I would think about where he came from and what happened to him. I also thought about the challenges that all the rescues went through and where they came from. I realized that my awareness of others and their needs was increasing. It was a strange yet peaceful feeling.

On May 5, 2005, one of the rescue dogs we fostered was going to his new home. Celia and I drove him up to Cindy's to meet his proud parents. It was on this trip that I met Trooper. He was sunning outside in his pen and when I walked over to him, he looked at me and wagged his tail. He was still a mess and though on meds, had a tad bit of mange left. After introducing the parents to their pei, I asked Galon could I take photos of his beautiful home and land. He was fine with that, so I left the commotion inside and went out to visit all the dogs. I spoke to all of them and took photos and played with the blue pups, which had been at my home a few weeks before. Then I went back to Trooper. He looked so happy. I could not get over his disposition. I snapped a few pictures and he wagged his tail even more. I could not put my finger on it then, but there was something truly different about this dog.

Upon preparing to leave the Sherrills, I petted Trooper's head to the shock of my roommate and Cindy. Cindy was already itchy and on meds herself from petting Trooper. Who knew people could get mange? I thought a little discomfort from Trooper's mange was nothing compared to his battles. He deserved some pets. He was a great dog who seemed to not care about the challenges of life. He was now loved, fed, and given back his dignity, even in that little pen. You'd have thought he was resting before a show.

Shortly after our visit, Cindy began to make inquiries to local vets about surgery for Trooper's extensive injuries. He had a few pounds on him and was ready for his next steps. None of her local vets could perform the much needed over hauling that was needed for him to recover properly. She hit her first hurdle with the dog. Right away she got on the shar pei hot line and e-mail list. I sometimes see all the names on the shar pei list and I make up faces and personalities, as I see photos and read comments. It's nice to know that other people love their dogs and care for them as much as Celia and I do. But I had never witnessed anything like this before.

Cindy talked with a lady named Vicki, and she made arrangements for Trooper to have his surgery performed by a human orthopedic surgeon in Jonesboro, AR with the assistance of a local veterinarian. The surgery was going to be expensive. Hurdle number two. Everyone that knew Cindy and Vicki got an e-mail for donations for Trooper's cause. I got this e-mail in the morning. By mid afternoon; people had donated so much money that Cindy was doing thank you letters that evening. The brave dog left with Vicki for his next trip to recovery on May 31, 2005.

Everyone that met Trooper at the doctor's office loved him and his outlook on life. The doctors and their spouses adored him. Visitors came to see the miracle dog that had survived many hardships. After six hours of surgery, the dog came to and wanted to romp and play. More people came to visit and e-mails went back and forth about his progress. I can not explain how emotional and exciting this was to read, as I was updated on his adventures. On June the 8th, 2005, Vicki brought Trooper back to Cindy and the Tennessee Rescue. It was a joyous and tearful reunion for all involved.

What does this all mean? Is this just another story about mankind and our love for canines? I don't think so. This is Trooper's story. A story of a dog bringing people out of their busy lives to give the one thing that he needed more than anything else in the whole world; LOVE. Trooper is a reminder of the power of love.  With love comes compassion and with compassion comes giving. Love causes us to forgive and to see the beauty on the other side of the hill that we are climbing today. Love allows us to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Trooper may have a bad memory or two, but I doubt it. He has forgotten the car that hit him, the meals he missed, and the hard luck he had. There maybe an occasional whimper in a dream and a stiff leg on cold mornings, but that is nothing to him. He will remember the people and all the good they did by pulling together and not only loving him, but caring about each other. He is proud of everyone that helped him.

I got a picture of Trooper just the other day. It was shortly after the 4th of July and I checked my e-mail. As the picture downloaded onto my screen, a handsome, proud, beaming shar pei looked at me. His new coat was shimmering and his bright eyes were sparkling, beside him was an equally jubilant person. It was Trooper and Cindy. They were so happy. All that love just came through the photo and so many people played a part in cultivating that seed of love. A seed that Trooper sprouted by coming into our lives; broken, hungry, helpless, though he was. It is because of him that I will not be overly impressed with the challenges that come into my life. No, I won't. Thank you, Trooper, for showing us the way. Thank you for sharing your love.

Talia

Trooper and Zac

Trooper and Luke

8/1/05: Trooper loves playing with our young guys, Zac and Luke. They are best buds. Zac just had knee surgery so we try to keep the playing to a minimum, but it's hard sometimes. We think Trooper is around the same age as Luke and Zac, which is 2 1/2. Handsome boys, huh?

This boy is spoiled rotten!

8/8/05: On Saturday, Dr. Shanlever, the human orthopedic surgeron who did Trooper's surgery in Jonesboro AR, surprised us by stopping by to see him. He and his wife had been to Gatlinburg and were on their way home to Jonesboro. We were so excited to meet them and they were just as excited to see Trooper. It was like old home week. They couldn't believe how handsome Trooper has become. Dr. Shanlever checked Trooper out and said that he is healing nicely. One of the pins is trying to work its way out of the right hip, so Dr. Shanlever said we will probably have to have that taken out. It is obviously painful to Trooper because when Luke tried to be nice and clean it up for him, he snapped at him. And that's not like Trooper at all! We are so grateful to Dr. Shanlever and everyone at the clinic who helped get him through the surgery. Trooper is also very grateful. He's spoiled rotten and that's as it should be!

Trooper and Dr. Shanlever

8/30/05 Trooper is doing much better since the doctor removed the pins from his broken leg. They had started to work their way out, so they were very painful. He hardly has a limp now. This picture is of Trooper and Sasha. These guys have such a hard life!

UPDATE 10/11/05:I think everyone knew except me that Trooper would never leave our home. He is just too special to me and it would break my heart to let him go. He's happy here and that's all that matters. Thanks again to everyone who made Trooper's recovery possible.

10/9/06: This boy is still doing great except for missing Zac. He is beautiful, isn't he?