Roo’s Medical Care

Roo is a chihuahua born with only two legs and abandoned in a ditch at 6

weeks old. After being rescued, he met his lifelong best friend - a

white rescued Silkie chicken named Penny. They would go on to become

ambassadors at Duluth Animal Hospital where mom worked, patrolling the

reception desk, begging for treats, and greeting clients. After a photo

of theirs went viral online, Roo and Penny were featured on National

Geographic Wild's Unlikely Animal Friends show, Sunrise Australia, the

front page of the Gwinnett Daily Post, Cesar Milan's magazine, and then

several childrens and adults books like Unlikely Friendships : Dogs and

more. They began doing children's school visits to teach the kids about

animals and what it means to be different, and have visited churches and

many community events with the animal hospital.
Roo has been

through so much in his short life, and his Penny Chicken as well. He has

had two knee surgeries (the last less than 2 weeks ago). Penny nearly

died just two weeks ago and was saved at the University of Georgia's

avian ward, where she then underwent abdominal surgery to remove an egg

that had perforated her reproductive tract and landed in her abdomen.

She was brought back home to Roo only two days ago and still on the

mend. Roo went into a massive seizure last night, his head swelling

horribly, foaming and vocalizing. Rushed immediately to UGA's emergency

hospital, he had another seizure on the way. It is impossible to know

exactly but it is thought he may have accidentally smacked his head on

something hard or sharp at home, possibly fracturing the bones in his

face. A freak accident at just the right moment, at just the right

angle. He is so small, and yet so mobile and independent. He is

currently undergoing MRI and CT scans with the neurologist, and he will

be evaluated by the ophthalmologist to assess damage to his eyes due to

swelling. We have no idea at this time what will be needed (surgery,

supportive care, etc) but his bills have risen to several thousand

dollars in just 12 hours. We will do whatever is needed to provide

whatever care he needs. His chicken overcame insurmountable odds to come

home to him - now he will beat the odds to come home to her.

We

thank you for everything - prayers, help, support, well-wishes, every

positive comment and message we've received. Penny and Roo have touched

so many lives all over the world and they have so much left to do in

this world, many more years together. More kids schools to visit,

community events to organize, days at the hospital. They have so much

life left to live and we'll do everything in our power to make it

happen.