Jackson is a Star!

Jackson, the resident Great Dane at the Genesee Country Inn Bed and Breakfast, will be on The Incredible Dr. Pol this Saturday, October 4, 2014, at 9:00 PM on National Geographic Wild. 

Jackson’s story begins in Michigan where Jackson and another Great Dane were running free for 2 ½ months.  A local farmer managed to catch both dogs with food and kept them in a kennel.   The dogs had been scavaging for food and severely underweight.   Both dogs had their tails chopped off and it was not done by a vet.  Jackson was in pain with his tail bone exposed and oozing.

The farmer took the dogs to Dr. Pol to be checked out and hopefully find a new home for the younger Great Dane since he decided to keep the older dog.  Dr. Pol thought the tails had been chopped off because they were going to be used for fighting.  Great Danes are truly gentle giants, so they would be used as bait dogs to rile up the fighting dogs.  The next step would be chopping off the ears.  Fortunately, the dogs escaped.

Dr. Pol gave both dogs a clean bill of health and vaccinated the dogs.  Immediately, the Danes went up for adoption.  We traveled to Michigan to adopt the younger dog and bring him back to New York.  By the time we arrived, Jackson’s weight was up from 100 pounds to 132.

Before returning to New York, we asked Dr. Pol if he could do anything to correct the damage that was done to Jackson’s tail and reduce the pain. The response was that he would try, but wasn’t sure if there was enough skin to cover the exposed bone.  Because of the uniqueness of the surgery, it was video-taped for the television show, The Incredible Dr. Pol.  While in surgery, Dr. Pol used a wire saw to remove the rough edges of the bone and have a smooth surface to pull the remaining skin over the bone that was exposed.

The drive home was exciting. It was evident that Jackson had adopted us.  Within one week, Jackson was up to 138 pounds.  Within a month, Jackson’s tail was totally healed and his weight was 160 pounds.

Today, Jackson makes his home in Mumford at the Genesee Country Inn Bed and Breakfast.  He will make his television debut on Saturday, October 4th at 9:00 PM on National Geographic Wild.