Back in February I reported on a local dachshund out of Long Beach, Marbles, and his owner, Jennifer Ferrato, who found themselves in a strange circumstance. Ferrato rescued a darling doxie only to realize shortly afterwards it needed an expensive surgery to correct its hermaphroditism.
As a young college student Ferrato sought the help of the dachshund and dog community at large, and in true fashion we delivered. On Friday, February 27, Marbles went in for corrective surgery around 2:30 pm after being dropped off at 8 that morning.
Jennifer said, “Don’t know exactly but I believe it took a couple hours. I dropped him off early morning picked up around 12 hours later. The Vet made 4 incisions. He checked for any female genitalia and luckily marbles didn’t have any! The vet reconstructed his little pee pee taking the exposed tissue and wrapping back up in the sheath.”
She also says the recovery is going remarkably well and affectionately referred to him as “a pitiful cone head” because since he was so close to the ground he would run into everything. Luckily because he was young and healthy, he was back up and running within in a week.
The office manager said checks flooded in even from Illinois and we raise the full amount of the surgery which was $850. In addition to the money Jennifer received good luck cards, messages on Facebook and email of support. “I’m so thankful for everyone who graciously contributed to Marbles surgery,” said Ferrator.
In response to the peope who encourage Ferrato to euthanize him or give him back she says, “The way I look at it is not every puppy is perfect; Marbles was born with an abnormality. If it were a baby no one would say put him or her asleep, they would do everything in their power to help the child. That’s what I was for marbles; a college student, with no substantial income, living off of the sales of my artwork and allowance from my parents. I contacted the right people, sent many emails out and worked so hard for his surgery to happen. Where there is a will, there is a way!”
By all accounts Marbles post surgery is a happy little puppy. He no longer faces the risk of infection or having any complications from his abnormality. He runs around playing fetch and stopping to give me kisses along the way. Ferrato says laughing, “One big difference is that when people meet him they don’t turn away or not pet him because of his bizarre looking penis.”
Ferrato says she has learned a lot from this experience and calls it a happy ending. “I love the little guy,” said Ferrato. “When I look at him I’m able to think about all the people who doubted that I would raise such a large amount of money for such a little guy.”
Ferrato is traveling up to Northern California next week with Marbles and as soon as he has all of his shots Ferrato and Marbles look forward to socializing with other dachshunds and dogs like any other regular dog.
Rufus and I want to especially thank everyone for their contributions and support. I think dog people and dog owners are a really special group of folks and I’m proud of us for helping one of our own in their time of need.
STAY INFORMED: Subscribe to LA Small Dogs Examiner: It's Free. There is never spam. We will not rent your name. Click "Subscribe" above.
Comments
How supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is this! Congratulations to Jennifer and Marble!
Hi Jennifer,
We just found out our Puppy Chole has the same condition. She is a member of the family and we would never think of giving her up so do you have any suggestions on what we should do?
Feel free to contact me at jferrato89@gmail.com
I'll tell you everything I know!
Greetings,
I have 6 Maltese. I call quits no more. I have a fun group who are active and happy most of all balanced until Daisy recently began limping and hiding under the couch. When I first got close to her left back leg she screamed. Took her to the vet and they told me to give her these tablets for pain and inflammation.(Rimadyl) The vet told me to consider surgery with 6 weeks recovery. I'm really upsett she is so depressed and can't join the rest of the pack to play at the park. I can't afford 800.00 for surgery. What can we do to help fix Daisy.
I called the vet and they said we should do an xray. Even though we already determined it was a sprain since she did her movement of the leg two weeks ago. Now they want an x ray but they told me a sprain won't show up on an x ray when I was there two weeks ago. $70.00
x ray may not do much to determine her limp since we already left knowing it was not broken. Any extra expences will slow the recover of her leg because then I have to save toward the next procedure if spent it on something unnessary. I live in LAS VEGAS can you send me a repudable doctor that is for the well being of the dog not my wallet.
Dear Jennifer, I read with extreme interest and emotion the story of your puppy Marbles. Congratulations to you and Marbles for his corrective surgery and new life.
I too have a French Bulldog, named Meatloaf, who is a hermaphrodite puppy. We have been to two vets, learning nothing new than we already knew....he is a hermaphrodite.
I am writing you to find out what vet you used to do Marbles' surgery. I am searching for answers to help our puppy, and seek any advice or information you can give me.
I appreciate so very much your taking the time in reading this e-mail and any help and assistance you can give us would wonderful. We are very scared as to what will happen to our puppy (continued infections) and other problems if we don't find the right vet to help us.
Good luck to you and Marbles. Happy New Year......
Kathleen, Valencia, CA
God bless Marbles and You!!!!!!!I am happy to hear this story-I have a Shorkie that is a HE/She and am not quite what to do at this point.She has a normal looking female part,and a set of testicles are dropping down into the at first not noticible scrotum.She is 5 months old-a hairy teddy bear!-and I can't keep her,so now I have the task of trying to find someone who doesn't mind her condition,and give her a good home.There are no visible deformaties,she looks like any other dog.Thanks for sharing!!!!
Liz
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!