If you are of a certain age you may remember the 'Six Million Dollar Man' TV series. In it, Steve Austin is severely injured in a crash, and is "rebuilt" in an operation that cost six million dollars. Like Steve Austin, German Shepherd cross Sam also suffered injuries in an accident. OK so maybe Sam's surgery won't cost $6m but it will cost at least £12,000 to rebuild him.

Sam's story starts out like many other strays. He was picked up on the streets, taken to a council dog pound and given seven days to live. As he neared the seventh day, and potential euthanasia, Southern Counties German Shepherd Rescue (SCGSR) came to his aid, giving him a secure place until they could find him a permanent home.

Sam is about 5 years old, and it was obvious that Sam’s gait was a little strange. A visit to the vets the next day confirmed he had multiple orthopaedic problems, marked arthritis in both elbows and also in his left hip joint as a result of previous damage to his pelvis. The charity took Sam to specialist orthopaedic vet, Andy Moores at Anderson Moores in Winchester. After joint fluid was taken to rule out any inflammatory joint disease, a CT scan was carried out. The scan showed severe osteoarthritic change, a wearing away of the joint cartilage on both elbows, causing painful bone on bone contact. Andy Moores advised that the best option for Sam would be total elbow replacement.

The operation is a relatively recent surgical development for dogs and greatly reduces, or even eliminates the pain associated with elbow osteoarthritis. Any surgery has risks, but a successful elbow replacement can provide a new lease of life for a dog otherwise facing chronic joint pain or even euthanasia. Sam may also need a hip replacement, but that will be assessed once his front legs are sorted out.

At around £5,500 per elbow, the specialist surgical expertise and equipment does not come cheap. The implants themselves are expensive, and the surgery involves three surgeons for most of the day. As Sam will need both elbows replacing, the operations will have to be staged to allow full recovery before his second elbow is replaced.

Southern Counties German Shepherd Rescue is a relatively new rescue run solely by volunteers, who raise funds and give their valuable time. Their belief is that once they have taken a dog in, they are committed to providing all the necessary care and treatment a dog needs, only considering euthanasia on medical grounds once every other opportunity has been exhausted.

Everyone who meets Sam comments on what a beautiful dog he is, with a calm, tolerant nature, always happy to see you and play ball. Sam is amazing - despite all the pain he must have been in when he first came to the rescue, he still wanted to play ball. He did it by throwing the ball to you, so you could throw it back for him. Sam’s medical costs are likely to add up to the same amount the rescue spent during the whole of the last year on vet’s bills. BioMedtrix, the US Company who make the prosthetics, have kindly supplied them at a reduced cost, so that will help, but the rescue remains fully committed to Sam and is busy raising the funds to give him his much needed bionic joints.

Following a call from Andy Moores saying "we have the technology, we can rebuild him", Sam had his first elbow replacement on 7th October. After several hours of surgery and much fingernail biting by the rescue, Andy called to say the surgery had gone well.

Life has been better for Sam since he started receiving pain relief, thanks to the rescue, but Sam's journey to an easier life and a permanent loving home as 'The Bionic $6m dog', is just beginning. If you would like to follow Sam's journey, visit www.southerncountiesgsdrescue. co.uk or their Facebook site: Southern Counties German Shepherd Rescue. To donate, or help raise the funds for Sam, please contact Alison Mills via email alison@southerncounties- Sam recovering after his operation. gsdrescue.co.uk or ring on 01425 473907.

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