register |  login
› NORTHGLENN
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
RECENT STORIES

Just for Marley

Contributed by: mark grabhorn on 9/9/2007

Marley is about three-years-old and is the sweetest dog I've ever had.

Maximus, my 18-month-old son, absolutely loves him. The way we got Marley was my friend in Houston could no longer keep him and was going to take him to the pound.

However, before he did, he asked me if I wanted to foster him and take the time necessary to find the perfect home because he knew how much I enjoyed his company when my family would visit.

Although I already had three large dogs (one has since passed on due to old age), a year old son and triplets due in November all crammed into an 850 square foot house, I accepted and he flew him out here a few months ago. Although I couldn't keep Marley for obvious reasons, I was going to take the time necessary to ensure he went to the kind of home he deserves. Unfortunately, just as some families became very interested in him, I noticed he began limping one day when we were all at the park.

I took him to the vet to see what was wrong and he diagnosed Marley with a torn ACL (anterior crucial ligament). Although dogs can recover to full strength, this is a surgery that runs from $2,000 to $3,000 and requires four months of restricted movement to ensure proper healing. All of the families interested in him were not willing to take him any longer. Given the fact that we had to pay $40,000 in medical bills for our son and $10,000 to have our triplets, we could not find a way to get the money for his surgery.

I tried to find a shelter that had a program for his case, but they all said they did not have the financial abilities to have him fixed. One shelter said they could take him, but wanted me to wait a week or so for an opening. However, after a month-and-a-half of waiting and being told to wait a bit longer, someone else at the center said they would not take him because they didn't have the money.

Finding only dead-ends; I finally found a place that would pay for half of his surgery. I decided that even though it would put us more indebt than we currently are, I had to have him fixed. I have been an animal lover all my life and despite many people suggesting I just have him put to sleep, I was not willing to do that.

Two years ago our two family dogs that we had for over seven years were poisoned at my mother-in-laws house when we were there visiting. Somebody walked around the neighborhood, feeding anti-freeze to dogs. Despite our attempts to save them (including a $4,000 surgery to clean out their system), the toxins were too far into their system and they had to be put down. These were two perfectly healthy dogs that deserved to live long lives. After that I swore to do whatever I can to ensure my dogs get to enjoy life as much as I do. They certainly deserve it considering all the happiness they give us.

Marley doesn't deserve to be put down just because he hurt his knee. When I watch him trying to play with Maximus and letting him cuddle with him, I know for sure I'm not letting money get in the way of allowing him the kind of life he deserves.

Nothing more, nothing less. My son absolutely loves him, and as you can see in the pictures, Marley adores him as well. Therefore, I scheduled the surgery for him on next Monday (September 17th). I really have no idea how we are going to pay for it or ensure that he gets the recovery treatment that he needs with so much chaos in our small house, but I don't see any other way. I have since stopped looking for a new home for him because no one was willing to take him because of his injury. People (even my family) say I'm crazy for going through all of this for a dog I'm going to adopt out, but he deserves to have a good life and if it means things have to be tough for a while, that ok. People say it's going to also make life harder for my children because of the time, money and effort needed to ensure Marley returns to full strength.

But considering the fact that my son has already learned the true meaning of "man's best friend", I'm proud to say he would want it no other way.


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Current Rating
Based on 4 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
Submitted By: Megan Riley
posted on 9/21/2007 @ 1:51:03 PM
(Not Rated)
I cannot figure out how to contact Mark about Marley! I would like to meet him (Marley)!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Laura Mayo
posted on 9/10/2007 @ 10:37:54 AM
Rated Story
This is an amazing story Mark. Thanks for posting it. If I wasn't at my limit at my apartment for animals, I would adopt Marley. He seems like a very special dog! Good luck in your efforts.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Kelly Voelkel
posted on 9/9/2007 @ 8:34:19 PM
Rated Story
Marley looks like such a sweet dog!! I hope you can find someone to help out with Marley and good luck with your triplets!!
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-3 of 3 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

mark grabhorn

northglenn , CO

mark grabhorn has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 9/9/2007. mark grabhorn 's average story rating is 5.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyone what events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos