COVEHEAD, P.E.I. — Sully, a P.E.I. dog that over 2,100 people follow on social media, is recovering from surgery last week.
April Adams, the dog’s owner, has been operating a Facebook group called Sully’s Adventures since October 2018.
She posts pictures of her and the border collie/St. Bernard mix breed during their various adventures on a daily basis.
Since The Guardian’s last article on Adams and Sully in January 2019, the group has amassed about 1,000 new followers, some from as far away as the U.S., the U.K., and Australia.
“They just fell in love with him,” Adams said.
But it isn’t always just cute dog photos.
A few weeks ago, Adams noticed Sully was raising his right hind leg, trying to keep weight off it.
She took him to the vet, who prescribed Sully medication and a two-week rest period.
“The rest period didn’t help.”
After a second visit, the veterinarian discovered there was a problem with his leg bones.
“The groove that his kneecap sits in didn’t develop properly.”
Sully needed surgery. It was going to be an expensive procedure, Adams said.
So, members of the Facebook group banded together and raised $4,500 to cover the cost.
“I was literally overwhelmed, just by the love and support.”
On Aug. 14, Adams took him to the Atlantic Veterinarian College in Charlottetown for bloodwork. The next morning, she drove Sully back and dropped him off for the surgery.
Because of bloodwork the day before, Sully recognized the building, Adams said.
“He started whimpering and whining. I started to cry.”
It was over by 2 p.m. that afternoon. He was awake and well, so Adams picked him up to take home.
He’s currently on medications and has to wear a cone so he doesn’t hurt himself or lick the incision. Adams replaced the cone with a more comfortable neck pillow.
The healing process will take about three months. Adams will still be updating the Facebook group, but since he’ll mostly be inside, she’s posting older pictures of when he was a puppy last summer.
“We have him basically housebound,” she said. “He’s going to be wondering why he can’t go play.”
It hasn’t stopped Sully’s brand from growing. By popular demand, Adams made a calendar with pictures of him earlier this year and plans to make one for next year.
There are Sully-themed post cards being sold at Two Beggars at the Founders Food Hall & Market in Charlottetown.
Adams and Sully were also invited to West Point Lighthouse Inn & Museum in July for a night’s stay and a meet and greet, where about 30 people attended.
Sully makes a lot of his followers happy, which Adams loves to hear about, she said.
“Stuff like that makes it worth it.”
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