Torn Cranial Cruciate Ligament

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!!

Lone Star Westie Rescue

Update January 19, 2026:

Hi, it’s me—Hailey!

Wow… life has really changed for me, and I think I’m the luckiest pup ever.

First of all, my new humans and Lambchop (my furry friend) adore me—and I adore them right back. I’ve gotten used to them pretty quickly, and they’ve definitely gotten used to me too. (I mean… who wouldn’t?? I’m adorable.)

The best part?
My mom cooks me homemade meals. HOMEMADE. Like, real food. Just for me! Every time I smell the food, my tail starts wagging before I even know it. I try to act polite… but it’s HARD.

Today I thought about my last Dr. visit. He’s nice and gives good ear scratches. I went in to renew my Apoquel (itchy skin stuff… ugh), and he checked my surgery leg. He said it “pops a little,” but that it’s totally fine. No big deal, he said.

And guess what? He’s right! I can run, walk, and even jump on the couch like a champion. Nothing slows me down—not even a pop.

Sometimes when I’m lying on the couch or eating one of my fancy home‑cooked meals, I think about how different things used to be. And that’s when I remember something important…

Thank you, WestieMed.

You helped give me a second chance—the kind of life every dog dreams about. A cozy home. A family who loves me. Delicious food. Vet visits where people smile at me and I get all the medical attention I need.

You helped me get here.

And I’m so, so grateful.

Tail wags and happy snores,
Hailey

Maggie is a six-year-old Westie girl whose family couldn’t take care of her anymore due to a change in life circumstances, in this case, because the grandchildren came to live with them. Maggie had been in this family since age eight weeks. She is a sweet, loving girl and was fine with the children but the owners felt it was better for her to find a new family. Not knowing what to do they gave Maggie to a “friend” to find her a home. The friend was well-meaning but did not have the resources to accomplish this. So for a month, Maggie lived in one home or another (there or four) that didn’t work out. Maggie was understandably upset and not understanding what was happening to her so she had a lot of accidents.

Westie Rescue and Placement of Northern California (WRAP) heard about Maggie’s plight and was finally able to get the release from the owners so they could find Maggie a fur-ever home.

After the owner’s release came in, the person with Maggie told WRAP Maggie had a limp. No one knew how it happens, naturally, but it appeared recent and the doctors agreed. WRAP took Maggie to the doctor right away for treatment and also found a patient understanding foster family. The foster family wants to adopt Maggie when her leg is better.

WRAP took Maggie to a specialist in San Francisco (after trying less invasive treatment) who said she needs surgery to repair the torn Cranial Cruciate ligament in her right rear leg. Maggie has thrived with her foster family and has had very few accidents. She enjoys her two Cairn foster sisters. There is a great yard that Maggie loves to explore and she loves the walks every day even though she has to use the stroller.

Maggie’s prognosis is excellent and thanks to WestieMed she will be getting her surgery sooner than later.

Barbara Mordy

Update July 24, 2017

Maggie - WestieMed Grant Recipient December 2016 — Maggie – WestieMed Grant Recipient

Since Maggie’s leg surgery in December 2016 Maggie has fully recovered. She was adopted by her foster parents after the doctor gave the all-clear on her leg. That was March 21, 2017. Maggie’s dad says she has thrived and has had no
problems with her leg at all.

She enjoys her daily walks (sometimes up to two miles) and chasing squirrels in the back yard. She is a sweet, loving, and gentle girl who loves people and other dogs. She loves to cuddle with mom and dad on the couch in the evening and watch television.

Her Cairn terrier sisters are much older than she is (by seven and nine years) but there has never been the least problem. She can be stubborn and get a little Westitude on occasion if she doesn’t want to do something but with prodding she will finally agree.

Barbara Mordy
WRAP

Update November 22, 2017

Maggie’s leg surgery was in December 2016. She has fully recovered and been adopted. She loves her yard and chasing squirrels. In the good weather, she spends as much time as she can outside. She continues to enjoy her daily walks to the nearby park and down to the local college.

Maggie is an endearing girl who loves interacting with people and other dogs. She recently attended a Halloween Event with her Carin siblings the rescue hosted. She can be stubborn and get a little westitude on occasion if she doesn’t want to do something, but with a little coaxing, she will finally agree.

Maggie and her family are very grateful she was able to have the surgery which has given her a normal life.

Barbara Mordy
WRAP