I just received a call from Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialist, an ER clinic in my area. A 6 month old Lab bitch was brought in by its family after being hit by a car. It has a broken ulna and dislocated hip. The owners are destitute because their only child was critically injured on a public playground last year. The parents were pushing her in a swing when the swing's framework collapsed fracturing the child's skull. She has been in a coma ever since and there has been no settlement from the county yet.

The surgery to set the leg is expected to run $2,500.00. If the hip does not stabilize after being reduced, the bitch will have to have a FHO and the cost could run more.

I know there are sad stories everywhere and money is tight, but this young family has had more than their share of sorrow. If you would like to help, please e-mail me with a pledge. Unless I can commit to the $2,000 deposit, there is no need to send money. If we can get committments for that amount, the checks or credit card payments can be sent directly to the clinic in pup's name.

Thank you.

Sherree, do you know enough about this family to know if they let the dog run loose so it was hit by a car? There is no reason to help financially if the same family will get the pup, and then let it happen again. If it was just a tragic accident that the pup got loose, then that is a different story. Do we know who the pup's breeder is?

I have no direct contact with the family. The clinic has said the family was present when the dog was hit. I have asked the clinic to locate the breeder, as I would want to know if it were one of my pups. What I know about the family is from the stories in the Tampa Tribune.

Hi Sheree,
I'm in your general area and I believe I recognize the circumstances of the family. The 2 yr old is still in a coma from an accident on the playground and being cared for at home. Visiting nurses and others are in and out daily to help care for the toddler. I don't think its implausible for one of the additional caregivers to have accidently left the door open, the parents to have been distracted, or the the dog bolted out the door. That house must be in chaos. Under the circumstances, letting the dog roam free would not be my first thought. Always possible, but so much else going on in that house. I have provided my email address, please let me know if I can help.
Lisa M

How much of a discount is the vet going to help with?

Oops - hit send too fast...

It would be great if he did it at cost.

We have $1,200 in pledges in just a few hours. TBVS has reduced the cost of the surgery to $1,900.00 and the deposit to $900.00. Dr. Mayo, who co-owns a dog with me, has offered to do the FHO at no charge if needed.

They will operate as soon as the deposit is paid and will accept a credit card over the phone if that is easier.

The contact information is:
Tampa Bay Veterinary Services
1501 Belcher Rd S
Largo FL 33771
727-531-5752
Dr. Matt Oakes is the surgeon
Amy is the contact in the ER office. They are a 24 hour facility. The puppy is "Roxie".

Saying thank you seems inadequate. The outpouring of kindness for a family and a dog that none of us know has been wonderful. Your goodness has made my Christmas. Theirs too I'm sure. Thank you.

Hooray for everyone who stepped to the plate on this. May you all be blessed many times over for your kindness and generosity!
Sheree I hope you will keep us posted on the pup's progress.

Roxie is going into surgery now. I understand from Amy that the family visited last night and learned people were sending in donations. They broke down and cried.

As of a little while ago the clinic had received $1,400.00. The pledges total $1,715.00 and many are mailing their contribution. If you make a donation, please let them know if you'd like it returned if the expenses are met. Amy has promised photos soon and maybe Jill can post them.

I wish I could share the notes I have received. It's been a tough year for most of us but people kept giving. Some had just gone through a trauma with their own dog, others had lost their dog and wanted to spare someone else that pain. I've saved everyone of them.

I hope to have news soon.

Thanks for sharing Roxie's story with everyone Sheree . When you think about it, this is one positive side to the internet that can do so much good. Passed your posts on to my family and friends and asked them to read it and call in to make a small donation, whatever they can afford.

I'm home and just spoke with Amy. Roxie had pins put in both the ulna and radius. She did great
and is expected to be sound. I forgot to ask about the hip but she must be walking as she is going
home tomorrow. Amy has taken photos and will e-mail them when she gets home tonight. When I checked on finances earlier today, the staff could barely tell me. They said the phone rang all day. One person asked about the ER bill and settled that. The bill is paid in full.

What all of you have done is given all of us renewed faith in each other and you have brought such happiness out of tragedy. One person wrote they only wished their daughter could be fixed as easily.
I hope to have pictures soon.

Great news! See - there are some awesome people out there and.........ON HERE (the forum)!

May God bless everyone who helped.
Bibsmom - Valerie

Thanks for being this families Guardian Angel Sharee. For you and all the good people who have helped may your generosity come back three fold for what you have done. It is reaffirming about peoples good naturedness at this time of year especially hard for so many and for that families suffering. JOB WELL DONE FORUM MEMBERS.

what wonderful news. best wishes for the family, their child, their labrador and to all you wonderful people helping.
hugs to all, from the homeland of santa claus finland.
ritva

How wonderful that so many kind people gave so quickly!
I started reading wondering what I could offer and got to the bottom to find out everyone beat me to it

Please let us know if more is needed,
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Roxie's photos are up:

http://www.cornerstonelabradors.com/roxie.html

Amy, the Vet tech at TBVS who decided not to let Roxie go down without a fight, has been at the hospital with her Mom after complications from outpatient surgery. She is home now and sent the photos. She asked me to thank all of you for what you have done. I told her I would and I do.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. You guy are the best!

It is heartwarming to read stories like Roxie's. It just may be Roxie who helps their daughter out of her como.

The picture of Roxie & Lexie together brought to mind this verse -- I think it was from an "Alabama" song:

"Oh I believe there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees.
There’s always been someone there to come along and comfort me.
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand.
A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand.
And aint it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road.
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

They wear so many faces; show up in the strangest places.
To guide us with their mercy, in our time of need."

Blessed holidays to all.