by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know you don’t know what you are getting into until you get into it? Or, sometimes, another way to put it is “no good deed goes unpunished” which basically means that trying to help someone or do a good thing often results in unexpected trouble. This exact situation brings me to Oddy’s Odyssey, the 2-3 year old male Malamute mix who was transferred to our shelter from the Town of Highlands on May 14, 2025. He was initially an unidentified, unclaimed stray in the Town of Highlands. At that time we had the kennel space and agreed to help another Animal Control Officer with his placement.
A very few short weeks into his stay with us, the dog we named Oddy, was diagnosed with bi-lateral cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL/ACL). We had noticed that Oddy was limping and having difficulty getting up. The CCL is the stabilizing ligament inside the knee so when it tears it causes pain. This then makes the dog shift most of his weight to the other leg which, of course, causes the other CCL to tear. Oddy needed surgery on both his knees, but only one at a time could be done. Fortunately, Dr. Civatte of Country Willow Veterinary Hospital had just completed his orthopedic surgical training and offered to perform Oddy’s surgeries at a reduced cost of around $4000.00. For a stray dog from the Town of Highlands. Not knowing how we were going to absorb this unexpected expense, we had to do it.
On June 27, 2025, he underwent his first TPLO surgery where the knee joint is reshaped rather than replacing the ligament. This involves plates and screws to hold the bone to its new position. Oddy was placed on strict restrictive activity which in a shelter environment is a lot more difficult to do. For the next three months he could only be leashed walked for bathroom breaks. And he was placed on strong medication for pain and relaxation. Yet, despite adhering to the prescribed protocols, a screw had loosened and had to be replaced on July 1, 2025. During his recovery he received twice weekly laser therapy at the vet’s office and rehabilitation therapy given by staff who had become physical therapists in addition to all their other shelter duties.
Winter is difficult enough at the animal shelter, so we waited until Spring for Oddy’s next TPLO surgery. On April 2, 2026, his right knee was successfully operated with the same instructions to be followed for the next 90 days. Two months into his second recovery the staff noticed a bump near his knee which turned out to be a screw. On June 11, 2026, the screw was surgically removed.
A generous gift from a dog loving supporter helped us give Oddy his ability to run and play again. Through it all, Oddy has been a trouper. While the other dogs were outside in the exercise runs or in the play yard, he had to remain in his kennel on medications to stay calm for over a year. Good news alert: he is finally completely healed! Now it’s time for Oddy’s Odyssey to end and for him to adopt a fantastic family.
