Matthew Morgis

March 1 was a horrifying day for James Braskey. He came home from work and found his dog, a chocolate Lab named Enzo, whimpering and not moving in the hallway. The healthy and energetic 3-year-old dog in pain and not giving the usual warm-and-jumping welcome threw up a red flag.

“I immediately started crying,” he said. “I freaked out a little bit because you could see he was paralyzed and couldn’t move his back legs.”

Enzo started suffering dog fibrocartilaginous embolism, a disease that paralyzes the rear of the body which leaves the dog unable to use its hind legs or even wag its tale. Braskey, who shares the dog with ex-girlfriend Amanda Valenia, was faced with two options that are both very costly: Put Enzo through extensive surgery with a 50 percent chance of gaining full use of his legs, or buying a wheelchair to give Enzo some type of mobility.

After days of brainstorming Valenia and Braskey decided to start with the wheelchair and the idea for a benefit concert to raise money was born. “Rock So Enzo Can Roll” — ironically taking place in an old roller skating rink on Saturday, March 26 — will feature four bands at The Strand in McAdoo this Saturday. The four featured acts are Red Red Indicator, Paper Lanterns, When East Meets West and Richard Ford.

The bulk of the event was put together by Valenia and her friend Ryan Malloy, and the two are overwhelmed with excitement for the vast feedback the event has received.

“I put a little tip jar out at work with few flyers,” Valenia said. “In a few days I had $80 donated and tons of people taking flyers to put them up around town for me. People are bringing food and other items to sell as well. I think it’s going to be a great turn out.”

The money raised will be used to purchase the wheelchair along with assisting in costs for diapers and other odds and ends that will be needed to cope with the condition.

“I remember that dog being a wild beast,” Matthew Balas of Red Red Indicator said. “It makes it that much more sad now that he can’t move around.”

Balas and his band play benefit shows often, but this one is extra special.

“I used to be at James’ apartment all the time,” he said. “So when I heard about the condition I volunteered my band right away. We never make any money off of these shows, but that’s not the point — especially with this one.”

Luckily, the disease is not painful for the dog after the first 24 hours. FCE typically occurs in young adults around 3- to 6- years of age in larger breeds of dogs. These discs on a dog’s spine are soft and gelatinous on the inside in order to absorb the forces exerted on the vertebral column when the animal is moving. An FCE arises when a microscopic piece of this gelatinous material dislodges. It forms a blockage in the arteries that feed into the spinal column. With no blood supply, the section of spinal cord affected by the embolism dies, and the dog becomes paralyzed.

Everyone involved is expecting to exceed the goal of a few hundred dollars. The three all expect a good-sized crowd and a fun night, but for those who cannot make it out on Saturday night, the organizers did make accommodations. You can donate money via PayPal to the e-mail address capuchie_monkey@hotmail.com or send a check or care package to 427 Cedar St., Freeland, PA 18224.

Braskey said the next step for Enzo will be water therapy, and, maybe in the long run, surgery.

“Everyone still has a small sense of hope with the situation,” he said.