Hailey’s family of 8 1/2 years noticed she had been limping for several weeks and was not getting any better so they took her to their vet to be examined. The vet took radiographs of her leg and determined she had a torn CCL (cranial cruciate ligament). The CCL is a connective tissue in the knee that connects and stabilizes the lower leg to the upper leg. Hailey would need surgery to correct the limp.
Three weeks later the owner returned to the vet and requested Hailey be euthanized as they were not able to afford the surgery. Thankfully, the vet did not feel comfortable euthanizing her and knew with the surgery, she would be able to have many more good quality years of life. Hailey’s owner surrendered her and a vet tech at the clinic began looking for ways to help her. The tech reached out to Lone Star Westie Rescue (LSWR) to inquire if LSWR could take her into their rescue program and give her the surgery she needed.
LSWR took her and in late September, she had surgery to correct her torn CCL! After a 12-week recovery period, she came through the surgery with an excellent prognosis and now is back to going for walks in the neighborhood and playing with other pups!
Thanks to WestieMed’s help, LSWR received financial assistance to offset this very expensive surgery. Without this help, a huge financial strain would have been put on LSWR’s funds to help other Westies in need. Lone Star Westie Rescue is forever grateful for WestieMed!
Update July 7, 2025:
Hailey arrived at LSWR in mid-September 2024 after her owner brought her to their vet to be euthanized. Thankfully, a compassionate vet tech recognized that Hailey, just 8 years old and full of life, simply needed knee surgery. The vet tech arranged for Hailey to be surrendered to her care, ultimately reaching out to LSWR to find her the perfect home. LSWR welcomed Hailey without hesitation and placed her with a loving foster family, where she quickly settled in as a joyful little Westie girl.
On September 26, 2024, Hailey underwent successful TPLO surgery, with all medical expenses covered by LSWR and WestieMed. She spent the next three months recovering, and just before Christmas, she was thrilled to be running and jumping again—pure Westie joy!
In January 2025, LSWR began searching for Hailey’s forever home. On January 19, she was adopted by a wonderful family, gaining a new mom and a furry brother named PorkChop (a Shorkie mix). Hailey’s days are now filled with walks, dog park visits, family playtime, and “Puppy Happy Hour” with her best friend Diesel, a black-and-white Shih Tzu. She enjoys cozy naps on the couch and snuggles in the “big bed” with her mom and PorkChop. Hailey also loves her spa days with her new groomer and watching children play through the portholes in the backyard fence that faces a nearby school. At her recent annual checkup, her new vet confirmed she’s in excellent health.
Hailey is one lucky girl, and her journey is a beautiful reminder that it truly “takes a tribe”—from the vet tech and LSWR to her foster family, WestieMed, and her new forever home. Together, they gave Hailey the happy ending she so deserved.
Thank you, WestieMed, for being an essential part of Hailey’s journey to a happy and healthy life!!