Zombie Dog III: The Mouth That Wouldn't Die

Friday, June 1, 2001 - USA

PART III

Editor's note: If they can make ten "Friday the 13th" movies, then certainly we can get away with a third Zombie Dog article.

PARK HILLS, MO — Out of the grave and into a limousine, that's how the story goes.  Internationally famous, resurrected dog "Sweetie" is sporting a touch of class these days.  Last week she was sent to a premature burial, courtesy of a mail truck's fender; this week she was chauffeured to a private hospital in a Mercedes-Benz, courtesy of an unnamed, national cable news channel.

(If you haven't seen Zombie Dog Part I & II reported in last month's Scoop, now would be a good time to catch up.)

Sweetie arrived at the Dardenne Animal Medical Centers in Wentzville, MO earlier this week, where her surgery was performed by Dr. Mark Lucas, a veterinary specialist who treats dogs and cats ...as well as lions, tigers, zebra, reptiles, birds and a kangaroo in tennis shoes (you'll have to ask him about that one).

Dr. Lucas performed the treatment free-of-charge, deferring Ms. Steven's bill that would otherwise have added up to about $700 (USD).

Sweetie had suffered severe lacerations and fractures from last week's accident, the most serious of which was her shattered jaw.  Dr. Lucas used metal wires (permanent) to reconstruct the dog's jawbone and allow it to heal.  Most of her other stitches will be removed in four or five weeks.

The doctor's prognosis: "As long as she stays away from mail trucks and shovels, she'll be fine."

As for the flood of well-wishers and fans of Sweetie, the Stevens family is grateful, but the pooch will have to keep it low-key until she's completely recovered.

Which means that, among others, Jay Leno and NBC's Today show will have to wait before they can put the canine celebrity on the air, and Ralston Purina's offer of a lifetime supply of dog food may have to wait until she can eat regular food.
(Photo: Robert Cohen, P-D)