What Will Happen to Pumbaa, the Shar Pei?

By Judi Curry

Sometimes one hears a story that is so sad that you don’t even want to know the details because you know that you are helpless to do anything about it. Sometimes you hear a story that might have a happy ending if only the right set of circumstances happen in the right amount of time. Such is the sad tale of Pumbaa.

Just a little background information: I have a 13 year old Golden Retriever – 91 in adult years – older than me! He has been having severe hip problems in the last year or so and he is having acupuncture once a week and swim therapy twice a week.

I wrote an earlier article about Trish Penick and her “Cutting Edge K-9 Rehab.” Because I have a large pool that is now heated, Trish has been working with other dogs, along with Buddy, on a weekly basis. Some of the dogs that come for therapy come often; some come once in a while. “Pumbaa” and his human mother Daisy started coming a few weeks ago.

Pumbaa is now seven months old – a Shar Pei. You know the dog – the one with the wrinkly skin. Daisy brought him to Trish because she had heard that Trish works wonders with dogs suffering from all sorts of ailments. (One dog that comes regularly is on a swimming regimen because she is too heavy.) But Pumbaa is a severe case.

When he was only 5 months old, a three year old child began playing with him, and raised Pumbaa’s leg so high that the dog began to squeal. And this active, naughty dog that was into everything became lame in that leg and could no longer walk without pain. Within two weeks he could no longer move his legs. He can “shuffle”, but cannot stand. He has to be carried all over; and seems to still suffer from pain if moved the wrong way.

Daisy and Pumbaa

For the past week he has not eaten – even snacks. He still seems alert and interested in his surroundings, but is unable to reach those things he wants to play with. Trish feels that he needs to be taken to a neurologist as soon as possible, because it is obvious that he is getting weaker as each day passes.

Daisy, a 22 year old San Diego Native, and a student at Southwestern College, studying Child Development has very limited funds. Pumbaa was a gift from her boyfriend, a life-time tie with the man she loves. She is afraid that she is going to have to give Pumbaa up because she cannot afford the tests that will be necessary to find out just exactly what is wrong with the puppy.

Several years ago, Trish established the “MAX” fund. “Max” was a German Shepherd that had multiple health problems. He had been the pet of a person that became homeless and had to give him up. Trish said she would foster him, but the cost of rehabilitation was exorbitant, and she could not do it alone. She established the fund and asked for donations to help Max become well and adoptable.

Since that time, other dogs have been helped by the “Max” fund. Now we are asking for donations to help Pumbaa. We know that the evaluation fee will run into hundreds of dollars, and have no idea what the subsequent charges will be to help Pumbaa. The neurologist just told Daisy that the prices may be going up – “may” being the operative word. There will probably be C.A.T. scans; M.R.I,’s; x-rays and other diagnostic tests. These might result in multiple surgeries and weeks of therapy. Even now, the MAX fund is allowing Daisy to take Pumbaa for therapy twice a week, and it is covering one of those visits every week.

So…If you are an animal lover; if you want to help Daisy and Pumbaa, please think about sending a donation to “The Max Fund” at 3508 Wisteria Dr, San Diego, CA 92106. The fund will help Pumbaa and other canine animals in distress.

Bless you.