By William Hagerman
April 6, 2008

A man driving the back roads near Wauconda in February saw a dog lying in the snow. Apparently dumped there, she was too weak to stand. The good Samaritan loaded the golden retriever into his car, then contacted Save-A-Pet, which took her in.
Through her microchip, the dog’s vet was located, and it was discovered that her name was Mickey and that she was almost 15 years old. Her owners couldn’t be traced, so Save-A-Pet contacted As Good as Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois, which took her in its care last month.
Mickey had serious problems; her front legs had atrophied and she couldn’t stand. (The area where she was dumped was rife with coyotes, and had she not been rescued she most likely wouldn’t have survived the night.) As Good as Gold got her to TOPS Veterinary Rehab in Grayslake, where she is being treated.
“They’ve used acupuncture and acupressure, high-end rehab to get her up and moving,” said As Good as Gold’s Colleen O’Brien.
Mickey is happy and pain-free, O’Brien said, and after two weeks of hard-core rehab she was able to stand again. She still has a long way to go, but she is making progress – and friends.
“She loves everybody,” O’Brien said. “You always hear that. These dogs who have been through heck and back end up loving everyone they meet.”
It was hoped that Mickey could attend an As Good as Gold fundraiser Saturday at Brookfield Zoo, but she’s probably not going to be up to it. Even without Mickey, though, it should be a good night. Go to asgoodasgold.org for more information.