Sig showed amazing potential to become future leader in Raven’s sled dog team before she was hit by a semi truck on the highway in the fall of 2023. In the accident her spine was broken causing immediate paralysis to her hind limbs.

Amazingly, she survived with no other injuries, other than a deep cut behind her head.

Through her many years in sled dog rescue Raven has worked with dogs in need of extensive care, but nothing could have prepared her for the rehabilitation of such an extreme injury.

After a tragic accident an owner is forced to make a difficult decision, end the suffering or continue on with devotion and care for the rest of the dog’s life. In this case Raven decided to let Sig show her what to do and what quality of life meant to Sig, since she would ultimately be the one living within limited ability.

Life came to an immediate halt for an entire month while Raven triaged Sig in the back of her jeep. It was a place where she could watch her 24/7, side by side, in constant contact, away from other rambunctious dogs and any loud noises that might upset her healing.

This was a critical time where Sig would come to understand the extent of her injuries and show Raven if she was willing and able to continue on. Raven believes it was in those moments that their already tight bond was strengthened into far more than she could ever possibly understand.

Over many long weeks Sig learned how to prop herself up, leaning hard on her upper body strength, and how to turn around with gentle assistance. Raven carried her everywhere she needed to go until a wheelchair was donated that greatly increased her mobility and drive.

Sig had lost control of her bowels due to her injuries but from day one she understood the importance of wearing a diaper. She has never fussed about it or tried to take it off. She is the absolute best patient on so many levels of her care.

As she healed Raven found a new unexpected challenge in finding a food that Sig was able to digest. As a result diaper changes had to be done anywhere from six to eight times a day. Over the months Raven tried countless ingredients until Sig improved to only two diaper changes a day and miraculously, at a year and a half out from her accident, she started her holding her bladder all by herself. Today she can almost fully express herself on command with only minor assistance (by applying pressure to her bladder).

Sig’s x-rays show that while her back is broken it is very hard to see if her spinal cord was completely severed. As she continued to heal she started using her back legs again, but with very limited and random movements. It is possible that some nerves are still functioning but to this day she is unable to feel it.

While it is very realistic that she will never fully walk again, there is some question to the efficiency of her actual mobility.

Even though she cant feel the lower half of her body, her brain still remembers what it is like to walk. Some days she will pick up her knees just enough to generate a faster pace in rhythm with her front feet especially when she hears the word “chicken” meaning its time for dinner!

This compromised momentum is purposeful and efficient, leading us to wonder just how limiting paralysis is when the mind is strong enough to compensate.