o What: Tyson, a 13-month-old Doberman pinscher, has carpus valgus, a genetic disorder that has caused his front legs to grow improperly. Without surgery, his legs will likely give out by the time he’s 6, and he will have to be euthanized.
? Donations: Second Chance Companions, a Battle Ground-based nonprofit group, is nearing the $8,000 it needs for surgery, but it isn’t there yet. Visit http://www.sccpets.com to donate (specify it’s for Tyson) or donate in person at the Hazel Dell Petco, 8820 N.E. Fifth Ave.
Tyson’s faulty feet have taken him on a long journey in his short 13 months of life.
The Doberman pinscher was born with a rare genetic disorder that has caused his front legs to grow crooked, earning him the appearance of a ballerina doing a plié.
o What: Tyson, a 13-month-old Doberman pinscher, has carpus valgus, a genetic disorder that has caused his front legs to grow improperly. Without surgery, his legs will likely give out by the time he's 6, and he will have to be euthanized.
? Donations: Second Chance Companions, a Battle Ground-based nonprofit group, is nearing the $8,000 it needs for surgery, but it isn't there yet. Visit http://www.sccpets.com to donate (specify it's for Tyson) or donate in person at the Hazel Dell Petco, 8820 N.E. Fifth Ave.
While it gives the affable pup an almost comical look, those who care for him say the condition, known as carpus valgus, is no laughing matter. While Tyson can get around OK, he tires easily and cannot run very well — a situation that’s not easy for a high-spirited young dog.
And without specialized orthopedic surgery, the arthritis the carpus valgus is likely to cause his legs to give out at age 6. When that happens, he will have to be euthanized, said Wendy Campbell, dog foster coordinator for Battle Ground nonprofit Second Chance Companions, which is trying to raise $8,000 for two specialized surgeries Tyson needs to have his legs straightened. The perfect Christmas gift would be clearing their fundraising goal, she said.
“He’s a great dog,” said Bryan Andrews, who, along with his wife, Heather, foster Tyson for Second Chance Companions. “He is playful, very playful. He wants to play fetch. He wants to hide his toys and then dig them out of the yard a week later.”
Tyson made it clear this week that he isn’t about to let his ailments keep him down.
Standing in front of Accelerated Postal & Print, the Andrewses’ store in Hazel Dell, he offered nuzzles and greetings to every stranger that passed by. That included a mail carrier, who stepped out of her truck, patted Tyson and pulled out her iPhone for a photo. The Doberman complied by jauntily cocking his head.
He then proceeded to prance around, holding his leash in his mouth. (“He’s chewed through a leash already,” said Andrews, smiling).
The pup can run a bit, “but I can keep up with him,” Andrews, 30, said. “We go on hikes. I had another large dog; he could go 10 to 15 miles with me. Usually (Tyson) gets tired after three.”
Tyson came to Second Chance after his original owners tried to have his legs fixed for $4,000. But as he continued to grow, it was clear they’d have to try again once the big guy was fully grown, she said. Then one of his owners lost a job, and the wife got pregnant. Second Chance, which tries to keep animals with their owners while they search for new homes, adopts out “several hundred” cats, dogs and other animals a year, Campbell said. But Tyson’s case is the most severe she’s seen.
They’re nearly there with the fundraising, but they haven’t crossed the mark yet, Campbell said. If they’re successful, Tyson will face more than a year of surgeries and recovery time with the Andrewses. But he also will have the potential to live to his full life expectancy of 11 or more years, she said.
“He deserves a healthy life,” Campbell said. “(Bryan and Heather) deserve a healthy dog.”
Andrea Damewood: 360-735-4542 or andrea.damewood@columbian.com.
