For Galion nonprofit Rescued Rollers, Mila’s birthday celebration a way to say thanks – Telegraph-Forum

GALION The party had everything you'd expect for a pretty little girl celebrating her first birthday party decorations, a big cake and lots of friends stopping in to help celebrate. She even got to smoosh her face into a special treat.

But Mila's birthday was special: The golden retriever originally was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, and the first veterinarian who treated her suggested euthanasia. The puppy couldn't even hold up her head.

The birthday celebration was a way for Galion nonprofit Rescued Rollers to thank the many people who have helped make it possible for Mila and other special needs dogs thrive.

John Lizotte, who operates the rescue from his Galion home,estimated 70 to 75 people stopped by during the four-hour celebration event atHistoric Grace Church in Galion. People traveled from the Baltimore area, eastern Pennsylvania and southern Ohio to attend.

"The feedback I have gotten is amazing from everybody," he said. "If you imagine 70 really nice people in one room, that's exactly what we had."

Two other Rescued Rollers dogs were on hand to help celebrate Ginny, who has seizures; and Iris, a puppy who's blind and deaf. But Mila, with a birthday banner strapped across the back of her four-wheeled, blue wheelchair, was the center of attention, rolling around the room to greet her guests.

In February, an MRI revealed Mila's original diagnosis was incorrect, Lizotte said. Mila actually has a birth defect; her brain is deformed, with the left side smaller than the right. She also has some lesions on her brain.

"The vets say she's not going to improve; we've already proved them wrong," Lizotte said. He has been working regularly with her to stimulate neuroplasticity, "and it's working. She continues to improve to this day. Her improvement is amazing.

"This dog, she's the most work-intensive dog we've ever had at our rescue in six years. She's amazingly work-intensive. But her will to fight and her determination is amazing. ... The fact that she continues to improve is a miracle. She's got the right name."

One of Mila's very special guests was her first human,Cheryl Mohn, who lives near Baltimore, Maryland. Mohn said Mila was the smallest pup in a litter of three.

"I noticed she wasn't nursing as well, so I would make sure that she nursed to keep her growing," Mohn said. "And she always seemed to be on her side."

After a week or so, Mohn was concerned enough to made an appointment with the vet.

"The first thing he thought it was vertigo and that she would be able to live with it; learn to adapt and she'd be OK," Mohn said. But as days passed, she became convinced that wasn't the problem. Mila went back to the vet, and that's when she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus.

"They evaluated her and recommended that I put her down," Mohn said. "I couldn't do it. I'd spent a lot of time with this dog. I could not do it. Even with her deficit, she still was affectionate. She still had intent if she wanted to get from Point A to Point B, even on her side, she would do it. She just had incredible will."

The veterinarian referred Mohn to a neurologist, who made the same recommendation.

Unconvinced, Mohn reached out to the owner of a nearby pet store who also was involved in a rescue organization. After meeting Mila, the woman agreed, and helped get Mohn in touch with Rescued Rollers.

Mohn sentLizotte medical reports and videos of Mila; he said he thought Rescued Rollers could help. In June, Lizotte was able to arrange for Southwest Airlines to fly Mila to Cleveland, where he picked her up.

"If it weren't for him, her life would be on her side," Mohn said. "Shecouldn't hold her head up."

Since then, Mila's progress has been chronicled on the Rescued Rollers Facebook page, which last week posted a video of a jubilant Mila greeting Mohn, who drove in to attend the birthday celebration.

"I was a puddle," Mohn said.

ggoble@gannett.com

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For Galion nonprofit Rescued Rollers, Mila's birthday celebration a way to say thanks - Telegraph-Forum