We moved to Murfreesboro in May 2004. Two months prior we had to have our beloved Chief put to sleep. It broke our hearts and soon after, we had identified a dog at the Dickson Humane Society that we really liked and by July 4, Tiger came home to live with us. About two weeks after we got him, we took him for a walk and noticed that he was really straining and coughing while he was on a leash. We brought him to Dr. Jim and he was examined thoroughly, including X-rays and a number of tests. We hoped for the best, however, the news we received hit us hard. Dr. Jim had called us and asked that we come to the office so he could explain what he found in the X-rays. Tiger had what was called a diaphratic hernia. Basically, from his previous accident (we had learned that he had been hit by a car and had surgery on his hip), the impact caused a tear in his diaphragm and over several months, it had opened wider, and his main organs had all moved into his chest cavity. Around his heart and lungs were now his spleen, his liver and his intestines. Dr. Jim gave him a 50/50 chance of survival and said that he would know more once he started the surgery. We were heartbroken, and thought God, please give Dr. Jim steady hands to save our Tiger. After the surgery, Dr. Jim called us and the first thing he said was "well, he's still alive." We were so happy, but he wasn't out of the woods yet, because his spleen and liver had attached themselves to tissue in the chest cavity, and he had to separate the organs and reposition them in the proper location. Tiger survived the night, then the next day and night and finally, we were able to take him home. It was a long recovery because of everything he went through, but we are happy to say that he has done wonderful and we couldn't thank Dr. Jim and his staff enough for their dedication, devotion and their skills. We learned later that once Dr. Jim opened his chest cavity up, his staff assisting him were breathing for him, and monitoring him all through the operation. God gave us a miracle, truly.
Paul and Karen Sniegon
Murfreesboro, TN