READ THIS FIRST! Northwoods Humane Society has been chosen to be part of Razoo's March Goodness Tournament. Any donations made to our "MG2010 Midwest: Northwoods Humane Society" project page between March 15-March 30 will give us a chance to advance to the Final Four for a chance at a $10,000 grand prize. Advancing to the Final Four is based on total number of individual donations over $10 during this time period; help us spread the word! http://www.razoo.com/story/Mg2010-Midwest-Northwoods-Humane-Society Donations must be made through the March Goodness Tournament Page in order to count toward the contest.

On July 6th,2009 the homeliest little dog, with spunk in his step and curiosity in his mind, walked through the door of Northwoods Humane Society. Label: STRAY. Breed: BRUSSELS GRIFFON. Personality: READY TO EXPLORE THE WORLD! After noticing his free spirit and entertaining antics, it was time to get down to business. Upon his medical exam, it was obvious his right eye had been injured, or that he had a severe birth defect of the eyelid. Also, his knees were not staying in place. After no one came to claim who we now were calling “Sprout”, we knew we needed to have his eye and knees examined thoroughly. He was sent to the University of Minnesota where he was examined by an ophthalmologist, and a surgery called blephroplasty was suggested, which would put a graft on part of his eyelid. He was neutered at the same time as his eye surgery, and brought back to the shelter. He had been in a loving foster home since his arrival, where he was lucky enough to be able to go back to for his recovery. The ophthalmologist explained to us that the surgery was not a sure thing to bring full function back to his eyelid, but it was worth a try before resorting to removal of the eye. Without function of his eyelid, he could not protect his eyeball from debris, nor properly lubricate it. Therefore, if the surgery wasn’t successful, without eye ointment several times a day for the rest of his life, his eye would not fare well. As for Sprout’s back legs, he has what is called luxating patellas. This is a condition in which the kneecaps do not stay in the groove they are meant to. It is commonly seen in small breed dogs and is typically due to poor breeding. His right rear leg is more severe than his left, as is it a grade three out of five. This will mean his weight must be kept appropriate for his size, as extra weight will put more pressure on the issue. Excessive activity can also cause his knees to pop out of place, but you’ll have a hard time telling him that! With only being about one year old, it would take a lot to convince him to take it easy on tearing across the yard at lightning speed. About two months after his eye surgery, it was re-examined and the surgery was deamed unsuccessful. Therefore, as a last resort, his eye needed to be removed. His surgery for the eye enucleation took place at our local veterinarian on October 14th. The surgery went well (see the picture, taken the night of the surgery), although it took a few days before our little Sprout was back to his normal self. It is now healed, sutures have been removed, and he isn’t letting his uniqueness slow him down. Finally, after all he went through, he is still looking for a loving home to call his own, for the many years he has left. It is a lot of work being a homeless animal with medical issues that need to be tended to, but thanks to donations from caring citizens, we can get them what they need, and then find them a wonderful home. The animals of Northwoods Humane Society would like to say THANK YOU for helping them receive what they need during their pit stop on their way to their very own loving, forever home.