Xena is our "Christmas Miracle" Pup Paw Scout.

Xena is an 8 month old St. Bernard who lives out in the country with her brother Thor. It was the first snow of the season and Xena galloped out the door to roll in the snow and enjoy her first real winter. Unfortunely, her puppy legs weren't quite steady enough and she slipped down the stairs, twisting her leg around as it caught between the riser area on the steps. Her weight kept her falling and she landed on the ground, unconcious when her owner found her a few minutes later. An emergency trip to the vet followed with a grim prognosis. Xena's leg was broken in three places, two of them right along her growth plates.

They couldn't set the leg, and the best they could do was wait two weeks on the off chance that both plates would slip back into place. If not, she would need to have her leg amputated, as it would no longer grow with the rest of her, and would be considered "dead." Xena went home with pain meds and orders to remain very calm, no playing, running, etc. She had to be carried outside to do her bathroom biz, and supported by a towel wrapped around her middle while she went. Her brother was distraught as they had to be kept apart to keep her calm.

Two weeks passed and Xena stopped in to visit our PSUSA offices on her way home from the vet. Her leg was GROWING! The fractures were healing on their own and there was no need for even a splint! This is her photo which was taken when she and her owner stopped in to visit.