07/31/2026
💛🦙
Phenix Update
First, thank you.
The love, prayers, kind messages, and encouragement you’ve sent our sweet girl have meant more than you know. We’ve read every comment, and they’ve truly lifted our spirits.
After her initial evaluation at Auburn University, Phenix was referred to the University of Tennessee because of their experience with orthopedic surgery in camelids. We’re incredibly grateful to both teams for working together to get her exactly where she needed to be.
This week, Phenix underwent the first of two surgeries to repair her bilateral luxated patellas (both kneecaps).
Her left knee was the more severe one, and we’re so thankful to share that she came through surgery and anesthesia beautifully. 💛
She’s now recovering at the University of Tennessee, where she’ll spend the next 7–10 days with an outstanding team of veterinarians, surgeons, residents, technicians, and nurses who have been caring for her around the clock. We truly can’t say enough about the compassion, communication, and expertise they’ve shown throughout this process.
If everything continues to heal as expected, Phenix will come home late next week for about a month before returning to Tennessee for surgery on her second knee.
We know she still has a road ahead of her, but today we’re simply grateful. Grateful for modern veterinary medicine, grateful for the incredible people caring for her, and grateful for every prayer, positive thought, and message you’ve shared with our family.
Please keep Phenix in your thoughts as she continues healing. We can’t wait for the day she’s back in the pasture, enjoying life with Betty White and the rest of the herd.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. 💛🦙